High temperatures and high humidity characterize the summer months in Atlanta. This, of course, can’t be denied. However, the issue that must be addressed is whether maintaining a pleasant temperature in your house is more essential than saving money on your monthly energy costs.
As a result, you could be considering your possibilities and asking the same query that several other Atlanta homeowners have pondered on numerous occasions: what temperature should I set my air conditioner while it’s hot outside?
Although there is no universally applicable value for this, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) provides a guideline, which will be discussed in detail in this article. So, using their guidance as a starting point, it won’t take long to determine the optimal temperature for your objectives. In this case, whether you want to minimize your energy consumption, maximize your comfort, or find the sweet spot where the two meet, setting the A/C at the ideal temperature in summer can help achieve this.
Read on to learn what temperature setting on your air conditioner is ideal for you and other information that can help you save money on your cooling bills.
What Is the Best Summer Temperature for a Home Air Conditioner?
We’ll look at the U.S. Department of Energy’s guidelines for summer and winter housing temperatures. The Department of Energy recommends keeping your house at a temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit throughout winter. In contrast, the most comfortable temperature for an air conditioner to maintain during the summer is 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
However, these suggested temperatures are just meant as a starting point and only apply when you are at home and awake.
What Is The Ideal Temperature To Set My Air Conditioner in the Summer to Save the Most Money?
If you raise the temperature by seven to ten degrees while you are out during the day, you can save even more money on your energy bill. According to the DOE, you may save 5% to 15% on your cooling expenditures by maintaining your house at 85°F. However, homeowners should do this eight hours daily during prime cooling periods.
Clearly, you would only choose to remain inside for short periods when the temperature is 85 degrees Fahrenheit. In this case, a programmable thermostat is an excellent investment. With this kind of thermostat, you can adjust the temperature in your house to 78 degrees Fahrenheit just before you get home from work.
If you dress appropriately for the weather and turn on the ceiling fan, you may generate the wind chill effect that will make you feel perfectly at ease in this temperature range. Also, you may feel up to 4 degrees cooler when air travels fast over your skin. This means that a room that is 78 degrees Fahrenheit with a fan blowing feels just as pleasant as a room that is 74 degrees Fahrenheit without airflow.
Furthermore, investigate the availability of window coverings like blinds, shades, and curtains as a further suggestion for keeping the inside temperature at its appropriate level during the summer. With this, you can reduce the amount of money you spend on cooling your home while improving its energy efficiency. All you have to do is install blackout blinds and block the sun from warming the rooms in your house. You may also weather-strip your doors and windows to increase the money you save. This will ensure the cool air stays inside while the warm air is kept outside.
In addition, the temperature of the air conditioner in the summer brings a different degree of comfort throughout the day and night. Various factors may influence summer thermostat settings. You will have to consider factors like whether you work from home, whether or not you have young children at home, and how chilly your house can become at night without the assistance of an air conditioner.
Even if you save money and energy by keeping the air conditioner set to 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day while you are at work, there might be better choices than sleeping in such a heated atmosphere, primarily if you work from home. And since your brain stops regulating your body temperature during deep sleep, you want the environment’s temperature to be comfortable.
Guide On Keeping The Most Comfortable Temperature In Summer
Your chosen degree of comfort and the Atlanta climate in which you live will play a role in determining the appropriate temperature setting for your air conditioner. Temperatures in the range of 72 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit are considered normal, although you are free to make modifications at any point throughout the day to cater to your needs.
However, the following guide will help you keep the most comfortable temperatures throughout the summer.
- While at home, maintain a temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit by adjusting the thermostat.
- Modify the temperature at night.
- Adjust the temperature on the thermostat to a higher setting before you leave for work.
- Determine the appropriate temperature conducive for your family.
- Keep an eye out for humidity.
- Install a programmable or smart thermostat.
- Invest in an energy-efficient A/C.
Your Trusted HVAC expert In Atlanta & Surrounding Metro Area
Get in touch with R. S. Andrews if you want the assistance of a trained specialist with your air conditioner. We provide emergency services for installing, repairing, and maintaining air conditioning systems.
In addition, our business offers its services in heating systems maintenance and indoor air quality improvement. We serve Sandy Springs, Marietta, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Dunwoody, Roswell, Suwanee, and Lawrenceville. Please give us a call right away at (470) 264-8128 to schedule an appointment.