For many people, using an air conditioner comes down to nothing more than turning it on and setting it to a temperature that they prefer at the given moment. However, did you know that there are more efficient and effective ways to use your AC unit?
As it turns out, most HVAC experts and manufacturers recommend setting your AC unit to 68–78ºF to give you the coolness you need while limiting your energy bills and environmental impact. This article will help explain why you should aim for the temperature range.
Ideal Temperature Range Setting for Air Conditioners
There are many temperature levels to which you can set your air conditioning. However, some levels are more beneficial than others. While there’s not one temperature that’s best in all cases, we can confidently say that the ideal range for air conditioner temperatures is from 68–78ºF.
Keeping your AC set to this range and altering it throughout the day and the year offers multiple benefits. The sections to follow will explain those benefits and present you with some strategies for how best to alter your AC setting as the outdoor temperature fluctuates.
Indoor Vs. Outdoor Temperature
To understand why ideal temperature matters, you need to understand how the outdoor temperature interacts with and impacts the indoor temperature. When the outdoor temperature rises or lowers, indoor temperatures will naturally rise and lower along with it.
When the outdoor temperature is not much different than the temperature inside, it’s not all too difficult for AC and heating units to maintain a comfortable interior temperature. However, when the outside air is extremely hot or cold, it becomes very challenging for your HVAC system to maintain a comfortable temperature in your indoor living spaces.
When a stark contrast in outdoor and indoor temperatures exists, your heating and cooling systems must expend a significantly higher amount of energy to maintain indoor temperatures that suit you, leading to high energy costs. While this energy expenditure is not entirely avoidable, adhering to the ideal AC temperature range we mentioned above helps to mitigate it.
Changing Your AC Setting Throughout the Day
Now that you know what the ideal AC temperature range is and how outdoor environmental factors affect the temperature inside, let’s consider some strategic adjustments you can make to keep your home both comfortable and energy efficient. The first step is to consider how you set your AC unit based on the time of day.
Although it’s somewhat counterintuitive, it’s actually best to set your AC to the higher end of the ideal range during the daytime. Since it’s typically hotter outside during the day, setting your AC higher makes it easier for it to operate. By contrast, setting an extremely low temperature during the hottest parts of the day ensures maximal energy expenditure.
The opposite is true at nighttime. Since it is typically cooler at night, you can set your AC to the lower end of the ideal range. Setting the AC lower has additional benefits, given the fact that cooler temperatures often lead to better quality sleep.
Changing Your Temperature Setting Throughout the Seasons
While it’s helpful to alter your AC setting throughout the day, it’s also wise to alter your indoor temperature as the seasons change. Again, the principle here remains the same. You should attempt to create as small of a difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures while ensuring your AC and heating settings remain in the ideal range we mentioned earlier.
In keeping with that approach, during the hot summer months, you should refrain from setting your AC as low as possible. Instead, aim for the higher end of the ideal range, often 78 degrees.
Likewise, during the cold winter months, don’t fall victim to the common pitfall of setting your heat as high as you like. Instead, set your thermostat to the low end of the ideal range, about 68 degrees.
Advantages of Using the Ideal Temperature Range
Let’s consider a few of the advantages of adhering to the ideal AC temperature range. Below are a few of the benefits you’ll experience by following the guidance we’ve laid out so far:
- Lower energy bills: When you use a higher temperature setting in the summer, your HVAC system does not need to spend as much energy, leading to lower utility costs for your home.
- Environmental friendliness: Even if money is no issue to you, we all have a responsibility to preserve the earth we call home. Using the ideal temperature settings to lower energy costs leads to greater overall environmental friendliness for your home.
- Greater HVAC longevity: When your HVAC system does not need to work as hard to perform its primary roles, it is more likely to have a longer lifespan with fewer needs for repair.
- Comfortable indoor environment: Admittedly, everyone has their own ideal temperature that they find most comfortable. However, the 68 to 78-degree temperature range includes temperatures that are both livable and comfortable to most people.
Getting the Most out of Your AC Units
Setting your AC unit to a reasonable temperature isn’t the only way to help it operate as efficiently as possible. Instead, the list below shows some additional ways to keep your air conditioning operation efficient and effective:
- Keep your air conditioner clean.
- Seal cracks, gaps, and other unwanted openings in your windows, doors, and walls.
- Use curtains to add shade during the summer months.
- Invest in a smart thermostat that adjusts temperatures on a preset schedule.
- Run ceiling and box fans to keep air circulating in your home.
Get the AC Unit that’s Right for You!
Getting the most out of your air conditioning is not just about knowing how to use it in the most efficient way. Instead, it also matters what kind of air conditioner you have. As you might guess, some units are simply more effective at cooling your home than others.
If you’re on the hunt for a new air conditioner, contact our experts at Climate Design! We provide industry-leading units that are sure to meet your needs. Contact us today to learn more about what we offer.
