What Temperature Should I Have My AC Set At?

The temperature is rising on the thermometer as we get ready for summer. This can be a good thing when it comes to outdoor activities, but what about the inside? Your home’s cooling system will be running hard to keep your family cool, but what temperature should you have your AC set at? Here are tips to help you adjust your thermostat.

Number of People

The most important factors to consider when deciding what temperature to set your AC at are how many people are in the room and how active the people are in the room. If there are more people in the room, you will want to lower the temperature of your AC. If the people in a room are very active (exercising, lifting heavy objects, etc.), you will want to lower the temperature as well.

Size of the Room

A smaller room heats up more quickly than a large room. Think about where you live and how many square feet you need to cool or heat up. If you have a larger space to cool or heat, you may want to adjust your thermostat higher or lower than average, depending on your preference.

Outdoor Climate

This can be tricky when considering what temperature to have your AC set at because climates vary widely across the United States. If you live in a humid climate, you may want to turn down your air conditioning so that it removes more humidity from your home while still keeping it cool enough for comfort.

Desired Comfort Level

The main goal of running an air conditioner is to keep your home as cool as possible for as long as possible without running up a huge utility bill. How hot or cold people feel depends on their own individual comfort levels and what they consider “too hot” or “too cold.” Ultimately, you’re going to have to find a happy medium between what feels comfortable and what helps keep your electric bill low.

Pets

Pets tend to have higher body temperatures than humans and prefer a warmer home. If you don’t have pets, consider yourself lucky because they can make it difficult to decide what temperature to set your thermostat at.

Smoking

If there are smokers in the home, then you may need to adjust your thermostat so that it is warmer than normal. This will help prevent smoke from getting into your air conditioning system and causing health problems for you and your family.

By having a thorough grasp of your HVAC unit’s settings and the factors that affect what temperature it should be set at, you can ensure that you’re getting the best value from your HVAC in terms of heating and cooling performance, energy efficiency, and cost.