The ideal temperature setting is something we rarely think about when fiddling with the thermostat in summer.

Though the perfect temperature may seem purely based on opinion, there are some factors we must all consider before setting the dial.

According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the ideal indoor temperature for comfort is between 75°F (24°C) and 80.5°F (27°C) in the summer. This temperature range is based on factors like clothing, humidity levels, individual metabolic rate and airflow speed. Your personal comfort levels may deviate from this range, based on your body's metabolism, but not by very much.

Health

We must consider our health when setting our home temperature. The ideal body temperature is 98.6°F (37°C) so try to maintain that when possible. When you set your thermostat, the humidity of your home is also affected. Air conditioning lowers humidity, which can then dry out mucus membranes. This leaves you susceptible to colds other respiratory issues.

Temperature also affects sleep quality, which impacts your immune system and overall health. For most people, a temperature range of 65°F to 72°F (18°C to 22°C) works best. In the summer, this might mean running your air conditioner on hot nights. As with daytime temperatures, ideal sleep temperatures will vary depending on your body and how bundled up you are.

Energy savings

You can save energy on cooling by finding other ways to cool down in summer. Keeping your thermostat set to slightly higher temperatures will cut your energy bills by 6-8% per degree. You can use a fan with your air conditioner set to a higher temperature to keep cool while consuming less electricity.

Equipment performance and life cycle

Depending on how your equipment is sized, setting the temperature wrong may cause it to cycle on and off or cause it to run excessively. This has the undesired effect of reducing your equipment life cycle as it works harder and experiences more wear and tear.

Make sure that whatever your preferred indoor temperature, your air conditioner is correctly sized so it doesn't experience too much run time or too much cycling. Have a professional review your system to make sure it's the right size for your home.

Keep your cooling equipment ready to go Give us a call for any maintenance issues or simply to review your air conditioning so you're never stuck without cooling.