What Should You Keep Your Air Conditioner Set At? 5 Tips for Homeowners

Did you know that 91 percent of American homes have air conditioning?

With this huge number comes a variety of opinions on how long to run AC, and what temperature you should keep it at. This will depend on a number of factors including personal preferences, climate, and size of your home.

So, what should you keep your air conditioner set at? This central AC guide is for you to figure out the ideal temperature for your home. Keep reading for our five tips so you save money on your next energy bill.

How to Save Money on AC

Before answering the question, “What should you keep your air conditioning at?” let’s look at how to save money on AC.

One of the simplest solutions is to cool the home with fans before opting for AC. Keep a window or door open to invite a cross breeze into your home. You’re not only saving money but learning how to conserve energy on AC.

Even if you don’t have a ceiling fan, you can still invest in desk fans or stand-up fans to cool the house. If you get a lot of sunlight through your windows, closing the blinds will also help cool your house.

The other way is to turn up your AC a few degrees when you’re not home for extended periods of time. There’s no need to cool an empty house.

Do this instead of turning the AC off completely. Remember, it takes a lot of energy for the AC to turn on and heat to the temperature you desire.

Here are the ideal temperatures for the thermostat. In the winter, set it to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer, set it to at least 72, though the ideal is 78 degrees.

How Long to Run AC

As we mentioned, you can learn how to save money on AC by turning it off when you’re gone. When you return, don’t turn down your AC to a temperature far below normal. This won’t cool the home faster; it will cool just as quickly.

You must next ask yourself how long to run AC when you are home. It’s okay to run your AC for eight hours a day to keep you comfortable, but remember that the AC may wear out faster this way.

If it does, your local appliance experts at Sewell will fix it. We install HVAC for both homes and businesses.

So, how often should AC kick in? It’s better to run your AC at intervals throughout the day to make it last longer. This also saves you money on energy.