When it comes to cooling your home, setting the perfect air conditioning temperature that will make everyone happy can be a challenge. How do you find the right temperature that’s cool enough for those hot summer days, yet won’t send your energy bill through the roof? We have a few suggestions to help you strike the perfect balance and keep your family comfortable all summer long.

The most simple solution to finding an optimal temperature during the summer is to set the thermostat to whatever is most comfortable for you and your family. However, as we all know, the most comfortable temperature for one person can be completely different for another and the lower the temperature setting, the more you’ll be paying on your monthly bill.

One of the more conservative energy saving methods is to follow Energy Star’s guidelines for optimal air conditioner usage. Energy Star recommends keeping your home cooled to no lower than 78° F when you’re at home and using a programmable thermostat to raise the temperature to 82° F while sleeping and 85° F while out of the house. Each degree you’re able to raise your thermostat can save you 3-5% on energy costs.

While the Energy Star method is a great way to ensure savings, the temperatures may be a little  too high for some. Consider starting at 78° F and slowly lowering the thermostat by one degree until you can find the most comfortable temperature for your home.

According to research conducted by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), the preferred temperature range for those dressed in summer clothing is between 73° F and 79° F. If the 78° F rule seems unreasonable, do some testing with your family and find an agreeable average between those ranges.

Columbia Heating & Cooling is here to help with all of your air conditioning needs this summer. And, to help you achieve the most customizable temperature settings, we’re offering a FREE programmable thermostat with any “all new” installation that includes a furnace/AC or a furnace/heat pump. Give us a call today and set up an appointment with one of our heating and cooling experts.