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With summer upon us, homeowners must think about how they will keep their homes cool and comfortable during the hot and humid months ahead. One of the most important questions to consider is what temperature to set your home’s air conditioner to keep your energy bills low and stay comfortable.
It’s a common question among homeowners, and finding the right answer is crucial. In this blog post, we will look at what the ideal temperature is to set your home’s AC during summer and what factors influence it.
What to Consider When Determining What Temperature to Set Your Home’s AC During Summer
When it comes to setting your home’s AC temperature, it can be difficult to balance doing what’s best for your comfort with doing what’s best for keeping your utility bill low. Considering the following factors can help you determine a temperature to set your home’s AC during summer that will allow you to be comfortable and save money:
- General Temperature Guidelines – The best temperature to set your home’s AC during summer varies depending on personal preference and local temperature. The general guideline is to set your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the day when you’re home and raise it to 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher when you’re away. This helps to reduce energy bills while maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home. Additionally, it should be noted that each degree you lower your thermostat can result in a three to five percent increase in energy consumption.
- Climate and Humidity – Another factor to consider when setting your AC’s temperature is the local climate. In areas with high humidity levels, it is recommended to set the temperature lower to help reduce moisture in the air. This is because the moisture in the air makes the temperature feel hotter than it actually is, making you feel uncomfortable and causing your air conditioning system to work harder than it should.
- Personal Preference – Your personal comfort level is also a crucial factor to consider when setting the AC temperature. Some people naturally run warm and prefer a lower temperature, while others run a bit cooler and prefer a higher temperature. It’s essential to find a temperature that works for you and your family.
- The Age of Your Home and HVAC System – Another factor to consider when setting your AC’s temperature is the age of your HVAC system and house. If your system is old and worn out, it may struggle to maintain a lower temperature, and it may be more cost-effective to set it to a higher temperature to preserve the system. Homes that are poorly insulated may also require the temperature to be set at a higher level to achieve optimal performance from their HVAC system.
- Smart and Programmable Thermostats – Smart and programmable thermostats can be helpful when setting your AC’s temperature. These thermostats allow you to set your desired temperature, and they will automatically adjust the temperature for you based on your preferences. You can also program your thermostat to adjust the temperature based on your schedule, so you can save money by not running the AC when you don’t need it.
Bottom line, as the above list demonstrates, the best temperature to set your home’s AC during summer varies depending on several different factors.
For more information about operating your thermostat and AC during summer, or to speak with our experienced air conditioning repair technicians about issues you’re having with your HVAC system, call Meyer’s at (219) 240-0610 or get in touch with us online today.
