Key Takeaways
- Thermostat settings raised by 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit when leaving home, and using programmable or smart thermostats can save you substantially on energy bills without compromising comfort.
- Set a constant indoor temperature, use ceiling fans, and shut blinds during the hottest part of the day to improve your cooling efficiency when you are home.
- Set your thermostat even higher, at around 85°F when you are away and switch on vacation mode.
- Drop your thermostat down to about 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the night and then use breathable bed covers and fans for an even cooler night’s sleep.
- Make your home more efficient. Seal leaks, keep up with HVAC maintenance, and invest in insulation and energy efficient appliances.
- Customize thermostat temperatures to your local climate, how your home is used throughout the day, and the type of cooling system you have for the most comfort and savings.
The best thermostat setting for summer is about 78°F while you are home and awake, nudged higher when you are away and dropped into the mid-60s for sleep. In Stockton’s hot, dry Central Valley summers – when afternoons routinely climb into the high 90s and low 100s – that single number keeps rooms comfortable while holding down the cooling costs that dominate a July electric bill.
There is no single number that fits every household, though. Your ideal setting shifts with humidity, insulation, sun exposure, and who is home during the day. The sections below break down room-by-room targets for when you are home, away, and asleep, then cover the simple habits and equipment that let you raise the thermostat a few degrees without ever feeling the heat.
Optimal Settings
Finding the perfect temperature for your thermostat during the summer is a mix of comfort, energy saving, and practicality. The most energy-efficient cooling temperature is approximately 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This setting keeps energy bills lower without overheating rooms.
Others find the best results at a cooler range, say 68°F to 72°F, but turning up the thermostat only a few degrees and adding fans can do wonders for cost and comfort. Raising your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees when you leave home and utilizing programmable or smart thermostats helps optimize energy use.
Here’s a table comparing typical cooling settings and possible energy savings and comfort.
| Setting (°F) | Comfort Level | Energy Savings | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68 – 72 | Very comfortable | Low | Higher energy use |
| 74 – 76 | Comfortable | Moderate | Balanced for most households |
| 78 | Adequate for many | High | Most efficient recommended |
| 80+ | Warm for most | Maximum | May feel uncomfortable to some |
1. While Home
Maintain a constant temperature, preferably 78°F for maximum energy savings. If you require more comfort, adjust it a bit lower, but keep in mind every degree adds up on your energy bill. Pair ceiling fans with your air conditioning.
They circulate cool air and allow you to keep your thermostat warmer while still feeling cool. Pulling blinds or curtains closed during the day shuts out the sun and keeps rooms cooler. Don’t put lamps or electronics near a thermostat. They can provide a false high reading and make the cooling system work overtime.
2. While Away
Turn it up to 85°F or so when you’re gone at work or running errands. Vacation mode on a smart thermostat or even a basic timer prevents cooling an empty house and still readies the space prior to return.
A well-maintained HVAC doesn’t want to waste energy or break down in the middle of summer.
3. While Sleeping
At night, shoot for 65 to 68°F. Lower temperatures assist individuals in both falling asleep and remaining asleep. It might be a good idea to invest in a programmable thermostat that can automatically lower the temperature every night.
Breathable bedding and a ceiling fan can help make that cooler setting feel perfect.
4. For Pets
Our furry friends need a protected, cool space as well. Be sure to set the thermostat no higher than 78°F if you have pets home alone. Ensure that pet spaces receive both shade and air circulation.
Certain animals would appreciate a cooling mat or silent fan. Make sure indoor temperatures remain comfortable, particularly on warmer days.
5. The Science
Comfort is not merely a function of air temperature. Humidity and wind count. Turning up your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit while you are away can save up to 10% a year on cooling.
Humidity makes it hotter, so a dehumidifier or fan assists. Thermal comfort involves a combination of temperature, humidity, and air flow in a room.
Beyond Temperature
Thermostat settings are only one piece of the puzzle. Indoor efficiency, weather, behavior and air conditioning all influence comfort and consumption throughout the summer. A blend of tactics from insulation to smarter schedules can reduce costs and make you consume less energy.
Home Efficiency
Regular HVAC check-ups keep your cooling system humming. Nothing beats a clean, tuned-up system. It uses less energy and breaks down less often. Little things, such as replacing filters every few months, make a big difference.
Sealing leaks around windows and doors retains cool air inside and keeps hot air out. Even a slight gap can drive your bills up. Energy efficient appliances count. Old fridges, ovens, and dryers can emit a lot of heat. Replacing them with newer, energy-saving ones helps keep the house cooler.
If you haven’t had one, an energy audit identifies where your home leaks energy. Most find cracks in the insulation or ancient windows that allow heat in. Reflective roofing and insulation help. They reduce heat gain and retain cool air.
Regional Climate
The best thermostat setting is location-dependent. Hot, dry areas require different strategies than humid or mild zones. Humidity affects the perceived warmth of a room, despite the fact that the temperature might not have changed.
- Dry climates: Opening windows at night cools the house naturally.
- Humid regions: Keep air moving with fans and keep windows closed during the day.
- Mild climates rely on fans and shade to cut the use of AC.
- All climates: Close blinds and curtains to block the sun.
It’s not just temperature; seasonal rhythms count. In areas with big day-to-night temperature swings – like Stockton and much of the Central Valley – shutting off the AC and opening the house to cooler evening air after sundown can reduce indoor heat. Setting your thermostat to local weather is the secret to comfort and savings.
Occupancy Patterns
Think about when people are home or out. If the house is empty during the day, bump the thermostat up by 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. This can save as much as 10 percent on annual energy bills.
A basic schedule for your thermostat, cooler at night and warmer when you’re not home, does a lot of good. We generally sleep best at 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit, so adjust your thermostat down when you’re asleep.
Zoning systems allow you to cool occupied rooms and conserve energy in unoccupied areas. Watch routines. If someone’s hours shift, shift the schedule. Fans and open windows at night assist.
System Type
| Feature | Central Air Conditioning | Ductless/Mini-Split Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Whole-home, ducts needed | Room-by-room, no ducts |
| Flexibility | One temp for all spaces | Custom temps in each zone |
| Efficiency | Varies, older units less | Often higher, less loss |
| Cost | Higher for large homes | Lower for small spaces |
Choose a thermostat compatible with your system. Some smart thermostats only operate with specific systems. Variable speed systems cool more smoothly and use less power than single-speed ones.
Investigate the EER of your AC. Higher numbers translate into more energy savings and lower bills.
Humidity Factor
Humidity inside the home has a major effect on how cool or warm a space feels, particularly in the summer. So even if the thermostat is set to 75°F, high humidity makes the air sticky and it feels much hotter than it actually is. This is because when the air contains more moisture, sweat can’t evaporate from the skin as quickly, so the body can’t effectively cool itself down.
High humidity can trigger health issues such as heat stress and leave a home feeling stuffy, so you want to be mindful of it. Manage indoor humidity to increase comfort and reduce all-day air conditioner operation. If your home is cool but humid, you’ll feel hot. If you keep your home at a comfortable humidity, you can keep the thermostat a little higher and not feel hot.
For most homes, the ideal range is 30 to 50 percent relative humidity. It keeps the air crisp and aids the body in cooling itself. If humidity goes above this, it can feel muggy even at the correct temperature setting. A basic digital hygrometer can indicate present humidity and monitor fluctuations during the day.
If you live in a region with muggy air or experience rainy seasons, a dehumidifier can maintain interior humidity at the sweet spot between 30% and 50%. Dehumidifiers eliminate the excess moisture and perform admirably in moisture build-up areas, such as basements, laundry rooms, or any other areas with inadequate air circulation.
Selecting a unit that pairs with the room’s dimensions is essential for positive outcomes. Air conditioning in some homes has settings to help reduce humidity as well, though not all units are designed for this. If you’re in a very humid spot, it might be worth checking out a cooling system that can manage both temperature and moisture.
Monitor humidity frequently, particularly if the weather shifts or if the house feels warmer than the thermostat reads. If the air is humid, it’s an indication that it’s time to alter the cooling strategy. Sometimes, it’s as simple as changing your thermostat setting or adding a portable dehumidifier.
In kitchens and bathrooms, exhaust fans assist by extracting steam and moisture immediately. Turning on these fans post-cooking or showering can prevent humidity from accumulating in the first place. By remembering these steps, it means less heavy cooling and more comfort, any time of year.
Smart Automation
Smart automation, like smart thermostats, can utilize sensors and real-time data to automatically adjust your home’s temperature for you. These types of devices are designed to keep your space at a chill temperature, be energy efficient, and reduce bills. A smart thermostat, for example, can hold a steady 78°F during summer days. That is a popular choice for many who want to conserve energy yet still feel comfortable inside.
If you step out for a long while, it can push the temperature up a little. Some do find actual savings from doing small things like this. Often, just a degree or two hotter when no one is home means less energy burned and less money spent.
Smart thermostats give you control not only at home but when you’re away. Most operate with mobile apps that allow you to adjust settings directly from your phone or tablet. Whether you’re coming home early or staying out late, you can set the temperature before you walk in. This keeps things comfortable and prevents you from wasting energy cooling an empty house.
Many apps allow you to view your daily or weekly energy consumption. These insights can reveal what’s effective and where you may want to adjust settings. Seeing clear numbers makes it easy to make smart decisions, particularly if you want to trim expenses or reduce your carbon footprint.
Beating the weather is another advantage. Several smart thermostats can connect to weather reports and adjust their schedule automatically. If a heatwave is on its way, it can cool things down before it arrives and then relax when the outside cools. Establishing a schedule is easy in most applications.
You can configure the thermostat to run less when everyone’s sleeping or away and chill things down right before you wake up or get back. Others report that leveraging these schedules can save up to 10% on energy costs, which adds up.
Smart thermostats sometimes play well with other smart devices. For instance, you could integrate your thermostat with ceiling fans to increase cooling without having to run the AC as much. In the case of smart blinds, they can close during the hottest part of the day to keep the sun out and run your cooling system less.
Others connect smart speakers so they can adjust the temperature with their voice. All these pieces collaborate to help your home run more efficiently and waste less energy. Maintaining the same temperature the majority of the time is optimal for energy savings, but you can still tweak things when comfort takes priority.
Rethinking Comfort
Comfort at home is individual and household-specific. That can feel so true when setting the thermostat in the summer. To most people, comfort means simply a cool room, but it is important to consider the entire situation. Temperature, humidity, and what we need personally all have an effect.
Many HVAC experts recommend a 78°F thermostat setting when you are home and awake. This reduces energy bills and maintains the room at a safe, consistent temperature. Yet others find a range of 68°F to 72°F more comfortable for everyday life, whereas some enjoy 74°F to 75°F. It is fine to experiment a little, a few degrees up or down, to find what suits your family best.
Getting the balance right often means playing with various settings rather than committing to one rule. If the room feels warm, reduce the thermostat by 1 or 2 degrees each day. This easy switch can reduce energy and keep the room cooler without a significant increase in expenses.
Similarly, a fan can shift air around so the entire space seems more uniform. Fans are effective when indoor temperatures are below 90°F, allowing you to bump up the thermostat a few notches and still stay comfortable. Altering routines such as shutting blinds to keep the sun out or shedding heavier clothes inside helps.
Humidity plays a large role in comfort. Even a mild temperature and high humidity make a space feel muggy and sticky. A dehumidifier in summer will keep the room crisp and dry. This means you may not have to crank down the thermostat as far to feel comfortable.
In winter, a humidifier prevents the air from being too dry. Both tools assist in stabilizing comfort throughout the year, so the thermostat does not have to do all the heavy lifting.
So much influences what feels most comfortable in a home. Here are some factors to think about:
- Age and health: Young kids or older adults may need a warmer or cooler room.
- Home insulation: Well-insulated homes hold steady temperatures better.
- Sunlight: Rooms with more sun may heat up faster.
- Size of the space: Big open areas may need more cooling.
- Airflow: Good airflow spreads cool air well.
- Humidity: Too much or too little can make comfort difficult to maintain.
- Daily habits: Cooking, showers, and how many people are home all contribute to heat.
Talk. Check with everyone in your house what feels right for them. Some might prefer it cooler, some warmer. Discussing these needs can assist in adjusting the thermostat to where everyone feels comfortable.
If there are large discrepancies, seek a compromise or employ fans in specific rooms. That’s how comfort is equitable and reasonable for everyone.
Energy Integration
Energy integration refers to utilizing energy in a balanced fashion, where the demand and consumption are well-matched. In summer, this often means cranking your thermostat up when you leave the house, even just a degree or two Fahrenheit. Over time, these small changes add up to a significant reduction in your energy bill.
Others crank up their thermostat during the day when they’re away, then turn it back down once more in the evening. This aids thermal comfort and energy balance. Most turn to lighter blankets or pajamas in the summer to keep cool in bed without having to blast the AC all night. Some like a warmer room to conserve energy, others a cooler one for sleep. What works best is different for everyone, so it helps to know your comfort zone.
Coupling easy habits with intelligent thermostats can go a long way. Programmable thermostats allow you to schedule a temperature raise or drop while you’re sleeping or away. That way it’s never your fault you forgot to turn down the heat.
A lot of smart thermostats can monitor your energy consumption and inform you when you’re using the most. You can identify areas of savings by observing these patterns. For instance, you may observe an energy spike as you cook in the evening. Cooking with the oven or stove during the day can heat up your home and cause your cooling system to work harder.
Experiment with a microwave or cooking outdoors during the peak heat. These little things can really add up. You can reduce heat gain inside by shutting curtains or blinds during the day, especially if you’ve got sun-drenched windows. Opening them at night can help let cooler air in if it cools down outside.
Turning off lights and other heat-producing appliances when not needed contributes. Each little shift makes your house simpler to cool and your consumption lower. Some homes add solar panels to help power their air conditioning. This lowers your AC bill and makes your home more sustainable.
If solar or other renewables are available in your region, they can be a smart long-term method of reducing your energy consumption and carbon footprint. A good energy management plan integrates all of these habits, tools, and technology. Energy integration means monitoring your energy consumption, making subtle adjustments, and employing smart technology.
By considering all aspects of your energy use, you can keep cool during summer and save money all season long.
Conclusion
The best thermostat settings for summer help you save money and keep cool. Experiment with settings to find what works for your space and lifestyle. Use fans, shut windows in heat, and check out smart tools for control. Focus on the feel of your home, not the digit on the display. Little things tend to go a long way. Some people swear by 75°F, while others need it cooler or warmer. Monitor energy bills to identify patterns and make adjustments accordingly. Experiment to see what keeps your home most comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best thermostat setting for summer?
Aim for about 78°F when you are home and awake, then raise it when you are away. This setting best balances cool air with low electricity bills.
How can humidity affect thermostat settings in summer?
Humidity makes you feel hotter. If you use a dehumidifier or your AC’s dry mode, you can feel cooler by setting a higher temperature.
Should I use a programmable thermostat in summer?
Yes. Programmable thermostats ease off cooling while you are away, then cool the house before you return. This saves energy and keeps your home comfortable when you need it.
How does smart automation help with summer cooling?
Smart thermostats instead learn your habits and tailor the settings for maximum comfort and efficiency. They’re remote-controllable, so saving energy is a breeze.
Is it better to keep the thermostat at a constant temperature?
Maintaining a consistent temperature will keep you comfortable and prevent energy bursts. Increasing the temperature when you’re not home conserves even more.
How does energy integration improve cooling in summer?
Integrating your thermostat with other smart devices, such as blinds or fans, optimizes energy savings. This holistic strategy keeps your home cooler with less electricity.
What factors should I consider besides temperature for comfort?
Think humidity, air flow, and the sun. Controlling these around you helps you stay cooler without constantly turning down the temperature.
Smart summer settings help, but a system that is tuned and running its best helps even more through those long Central Valley heat waves. Schedule a cooling tune-up with Greener Solutions Heating & AC and get the most out of every degree.