Southern California can experience long stretches of hot temperatures, which means that homeowners are constantly running their AC systems. It can be difficult to keep your home at a consistently comfortable temperature, and energy bills can get expensive. Finding the optimal setting for your thermostat is critical.
How Do You Pick the Optimal Air Conditioning Thermostat Setting?
Picking the right AC setting for your home depends on a number of factors, including your comfort needs, the humidity at the time, the outdoor temperature, and your energy goals.
Comfort Level
The Department of Energy recommends that homeowners keep their thermostats set to 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer months. However, this may be a bit too warm for some. To find your optimal comfort level, start with 78 and work backward, one degree at a time. Give a temperature a full day before deciding whether it is too warm or too cold.
You can also experiment with different temperatures during different times of the day. For example, some homeowners keep their homes warmer overnight and cooler during the daytime hours.
Humidity Level
While Southern California doesn’t typically experience consistently humid conditions, some storms come with heightened humidity, which can impact your HVAC system. When it’s humid outside, you’ll want to keep your AC running to keep the humidity in your home at a comfortable level.
Energy Goals
If you are looking to use less energy and lower your monthly energy bills, a great place to start is your thermostat. Increasing the temperature in your home during the summer means that your AC system can use less energy.
Another good trick to help meet your energy goals is to keep your thermostat set within 10 degrees of the outside temperature. Following this rule can make a big difference in the amount of energy your system uses each year.
Should the Temperature Setting Change in the Winter vs. Summer?
Another common question about thermostat settings is whether your temperature setting should be the same all year round or change with the seasons. The general rule of thumb is that you should set your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer and 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter.
These temperatures are generally considered to be comfortable to most, and setting your indoor temperature closer to the outdoor temperature is optimal for energy efficiency.
What About Office Settings?
Generally, it is a good idea to keep offices slightly cooler than home settings – no warmer than 73 degrees during the summer months. That’s because employees who like a slightly cooler temperature can become very uncomfortable and even feel sick in a warm indoor environment.
To maximize energy efficiency in the office, it’s a good idea to program daytime and nighttime settings to avoid using excess energy when employees are not in the office.
Expert Help with Your AC System
If you are looking to optimize your AC system year-round, let the experts at Rowland Air help. We can handle your air conditioning repairs while helping you find a comfort level that meets your energy goals.