Finding the perfect temperature in summer can be a challenge. While it’s important to maintain your indoor comfort, you also want to keep cooling costs manageable and ensure you aren’t putting unnecessary wear and tear on your air conditioner. Talking to your HVAC contractor can provide a wealth of valuable information when choosing the best balance for your home. In the meantime, the following guidelines can help you get the best performance from your air conditioning system. 

Ideal Summer Thermostat Settings

When You’re at Home 

The key to achieving optimal air conditioning efficiency is to set the thermostat as warm as you can comfortably tolerate. In the summertime, a setting of 78 degrees tends to work well for most households. This will keep your living space from getting too humid while helping you avoid high electricity bills. However, every family’s comfort level and home are different, so if 78 is too warm, you may need to bump it down to around 75 degrees. 

When You’re Away 

It may seem like a waste of energy and money to keep your air conditioner running while no one’s home, but it’s wise to leave your thermostat set rather than turn your system off entirely. Doing so can cause high humidity levels, leading to mold and pest problems as well as structural damage. Even on typical workdays, any time you’re going to be gone for two hours or more, HVAC contractors recommend turning the air up seven to 10 degrees. If you’re leaving home for a vacation, set the temperature about four degrees higher than normal. 

When You’re Sleeping 

Your body is designed to naturally cool down while you’re sleeping. However, it will have a difficult time reaching its ideal temperature if your bedroom gets too hot or cold, which can affect your quality of sleep. A warm room may cause restlessness or insomnia, while a cold room can prevent your muscles from relaxing enough to allow you to settle into a deep sleep.

The best thermostat setting for a good night’s rest is between 60 and 67 degrees for adults and children and 65-70 degrees for babies and toddlers. Fortunately, summer nights are cooler than the daytime, so your system won’t have to work too hard to maintain this comfort level.

If you’re looking to maximize your comfort and energy savings this summer, contact the HVAC contractors at Mountain Air & Heating. They provide reliable cooling and heating services that will keep your system operating at peak efficiency for years to come. Since 1996, residents throughout Habersham County, GA, have counted on the company’s industry expertise to help them maintain a pleasant living space year-round. Call (706) 754-0075 to speak with a professional HVAC contractor or visit them online for more information about the different types of systems they install.