Everyone seems to have an opinion on how low the indoor temperature should be when running the air conditioning in the summer. You want your home to remain comfortable while also keeping energy bills under control.

Here are a few factors to consider when deciding on your home’s temperature settings for the summer.

Choose a comfortable base temperature setting

As everyone is aware, the most comfortable home temperature during the summer is up to personal preference. Some people enjoy bitter cold during a hot summer day, while others enjoy a milder indoor environment and are willing to supplement with fans to stay cool.

According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the optimal indoor temperature for the summer is somewhere in the range of 72 to 80 degrees.

Raise The Temperature When You Are Not Home

It is a common misconception that it is better to leave the temperature at a consistent setting so your unit does not have to work as hard to catch up once you get home.

The Department of Energy recommends turning your thermostat up seven to ten degrees when no one is home. They estimate you can save as much as 10 percent on cooling costs by raising the temperature whenever you are away from home for more than two hours.

Upgrade To A Smart Thermostat

Instead of always trying to remember to turn the thermostat up and down as you come and go, a programmable or smart thermostat is a great investment! You can easily program it to start cooling the house down 30 minutes before you get home, that way it is at a more comfortable temperature by the time you arrive.

You can also program a temperature change for the night while you are sleeping. Some smart thermostats even let you control the temperature settings from your phone, so you can easily adjust your indoor temperature schedule if plans change.

Summer Thermostat Setting