If you've ever wondered, "what is a good temperature to set your thermostat in the summer?" you're not alone! Homeowners, business owners, and renters ponder the best temperature setting to balance staying cool while not paying a small fortune on utility bills. To help, Bloomington Heating & Air provides these tips for thermostat settings while you're at home, away, and sleeping. We're also providing tips for ways to stay comfortable and save extra money during the summer months!

To ensure your AC runs at maximum efficiency all year long, contact us today to schedule AC service. AC not cooling at all? We're available 24/7 for emergency AC repairs.

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Daily Summer Thermostat Temperature

Many people try to combat rising temperatures by knocking the thermostat down several degrees, but no matter if you drop it one degree or seven, your AC will cool you off at the same rate. The only difference is you'll be paying more money for energy use and causing more wear and tear on your HVAC system. Instead, keeping the AC at a consistent temperature all day will help keep your home cool and maximize energy use. The key is keeping the temperature the same throughout the day while staying as close to the outside temperatures as you can.

While You're Sleeping

In general, most people enjoy sleeping in cooler temperatures, probably because it can help you fall asleep and stay asleep. However, what's the right temperature to set your thermostat while them sleep? Optimal sleeping temperatures can range from 60 and 67 degrees. Instead of arbitrarily keeping the thermostat at 60 degrees, experiment with temperatures a degree at a time. Start with the temperature you think is most comfortable, and then turn it up one degree each night to get a better measure of how high you can set the temperature without feeling uncomfortable.

While You're Away

While it's good to keep your AC consistently set around 78 degrees during the day when you're home, the temperature setting when you're away should be higher. Whether at work or away for summer vacation, you should set your thermostat up 7 to 10 degrees higher. However, if you have pets, you shouldn't set your thermostat any higher than 83 degrees. If you have elderly or sick pets, you may want to set it lower than that.

Extra Tips To Stay Cool & Save Money

While you're at home, turning on a ceiling or floor fan can help circulate the air and boost your body's natural cooling abilities. However, fans don't do anything to cool a space on their own, so be sure to turn fans off before leaving home to save money on utilities. Also, limit the use of appliances to the evenings when it's cooler. You can also take cooler showers to help stay comfortable and reduce the amount of humidity and heat introduced into your home. Routine HVAC maintenance can ensure that your AC is running at maximum efficiency and not using excess energy. Investing in a new AC can also save money in the long term because HVAC systems are much more efficient than their older counterparts. If you're considering getting a new AC, we offer financing to help make it more affordable.