What’s the Best AC Temperature Setting for the Summer?

While summer might be a wonderful time for outdoor activities, it can be a pain on the electricity bills. With the sometimes unbearable heat, people tend to use their air conditioners more often and even crank them up. However, what people might not know is that there is an optimal temperature you should set your thermostat to during the summer. 

Here, we’ll shed some light on this subject and even offer additional recommendations for other situations. Find out the best AC setting for you to have a sweat-free summer.

What’s the Recommended Thermostat Setting for Summer in Canada?

The truth is, your HVAC system will be doing the same amount of work no matter your thermostat setting. You see, your AC creates a cooler indoor temperature by examining the temperature outside. To allow your AC system to find this balance efficiently, it’s best to have your thermostat on a higher setting. 

Surprisingly, the ideal temperature would be around 25°C. It might be tempting to blast the AC at a lower temperature, but a higher setting will be more energy-efficient and save on bills.

What’s the Best Air Conditioner Temperature for Sleeping?

Most people like to adjust their AC settings when they’re sleeping. We suggest programming your thermostat to gradually lower the temperature as you approach bedtime. 

There is no definitive best setting for sleep temperature as it can vary from person to person. But in general, the recommended bedroom temperature for sleep is around 18.3°C. Doctors also recommend a range of 15.6°C to 19.4°C to get the most comfort in sleeping. 

These recommendations are based on the fact that the human body will experience slight dips in the core temperature during the night. Lowering the thermostat at night may help your body regulate temperature and give it the signal to sleep.

However, you should note that these temperature recommendations only apply to adults. Children and infants will need a warmer temperature for comfortable sleep. However, don’t make it too warm as it may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. For infants, 20.5°C is recommended.

What Should AC Be Set at When You’re Away?

It’s best not to keep shutting down your HVAC system when you’re away and turning it back on when you return. This habit will only strain your system and cost you money. Instead, let your HVAC system run at a low level to preserve its functions. 

Ideally, you should set your thermostat at a higher temperature when you’re away. The setting should be around 31°C or as close to the outside temperature as possible. This will create a good balance such that your home won’t feel too hot or too cold when you return. 

If you have a programmable thermostat, it’s best to set it such that it raises the temperature when you’re out and lowers it back when you arrive home.

Conclusion

It might be tempting to blast the AC at the lowest temperature when the summer heat gets to you, but this will only increase your electricity bills. To stay energy-efficient and save money, it’s best to set the thermostat at around 25°C in the summer. Lower this to about 18°C near bedtime to get a comfortable night’s sleep. And raise the temperature to approximately 31°C when you’re away to avoid straining the system.

If you need to have your AC in Edmonton set up, call Legacy Heating & Cooling. We also install and replace furnaces, humidifiers, and other HVAC products. Get a free quote today!