The Best Central Air Temperature Settings
How low (of a temperature) should you go?
When summer finally arrives here in Southeastern Massachusetts many homeowners (specifically those whose homes have central air conditioning) ask themselves this age old question: “what temperature should I set and keep my air conditioning to?” While the answer, of course, varies from household to household and person to person and ultimately comes down to your comfort level and preference, there is some general guidance you can follow to increase the efficiency of your central air conditioning system.
The recommended central air conditioning settings
Again, the best central air conditioning temperature setting is the one that keeps you, your family and your home comfortable and your utility bills manageable. That being said, here are some recommendations and tips regarding the temperature settings on your central air conditioning system:
- 70-78° Fahrenheit: This is the recommended temperature range for the daytime when you are hanging out at home.
- 85-88° Fahrenheit: Set your thermostat temperature to somewhere in this range when you plan to be out of your home for a while. You can also simply turn your air conditioning off completely as long as you don’t have any animals or plants that could potentially overheat. All of this will help save you money on your energy bills!
- 78° Fahrenheit: If you are looking to cut down on the amount of money you are spending on your cooling costs, try increasing your home’s temperature to 78° Fahrenheit. This is the ideal energy-saving temperature.
- 60-67° Fahrenheit: As reported by the Cleveland Clinic, this lower temperature range is ideal for sleeping and recommended to help you get a better night’s rest.
Finding the ideal central air conditioning temperature for you and your home requires some playing around with your thermostat so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find what is most comfortable and manageable in terms of costs for you.
How to make the most out of your central air conditioning system
There is more to just the temperature on your thermostat when it comes to keeping your home cool. Here are some additional things you can do to help your air conditioning system do its job effectively:
- Natural sunlight adds extra heat to your home so keep your blinds, shades and curtains closed.
- Try not to use things that add additional heat to your home when it’s a hot day. This includes ovens, clothes dryers and blow dryers.
- Make sure your home’s vents aren’t being blocked or covered by furniture, curtains or rugs.
- Keep heat out of your house by adding weather stripping to your doors and windows.
Central air conditioning maintenance from W.H. Riley & Son
Professional, routine maintenance is the most important part of effective and efficient air conditioning. This is where W.H. Riley & Son comes in!
Our service technicians take the time to check every part of your central air conditioning system, including your refrigerant supply and filters. We can handle any wear and tear and can catch any small issues before they turn into large and expensive problems.
Contact W.H. Riley & Son today so we can help keep your central air conditioning system working and running all summer long!