What is the Best AC Temperature as the Weather Gets Warmer?

Do Not Display

As the temperatures get warmer outside this spring and we start using the air conditioner in earnest, what is the best AC temperature to set the thermostat at?

Setting the Thermostat to the Best AC Temperature

Programmable and Wi-Fi thermostats offer possibilities for increasing comfort in the home while simultaneously saving a bit on energy. Typically, this is accomplished by setting the thermostat up a few degrees at night and in the day when everyone's out of the home. The temperature resumes a more comfortable setting in the morning and evening, when, presumably, the home's occupants are present and active.

People vary as to what they feel is a comfortable temperature, but for most, it's around 72 degrees. This setting doesn't usually cause the unit to run without stopping, and it's a temperature at which most people feel moderately comfortable. For those who feel warm at 72 degrees, turning on a fan can help. For those who feel chilly, they can put on a sweater.

Another common set point is 78 degrees. While this may be on the warm side for some, it's generally agreed that this set point offers considerable savings on energy. However, a 78-degree room will likely require that some individuals augment the cooling with a fan. In fact, you might experiment by setting the thermostat at 75 degrees. You'll save some money on energy, but folks will be a little cooler than they will at 78 degrees, and fans will make the temperature bearable to the hot-natured.

Keeping a Home's Occupants Cool and Happy with the Best AC Temperature

In addition to fans, there are a few other things you can do to ensure even the warm-tempered folks in your household feel comfortable if you set the thermostat between 72 and 80 degrees.

• Close blinds, curtains, and shades to keep out solar radiation.

• Look into installing a zoned system, where individuals can control temperatures with their own thermostat in their zone by closing and opening dampers in ducts.

• Control humidity in the house so that people do not feel as warm and so they won't require lower set points.

For more on the best AC temperature, contact Air Assurance. We serve Broken Arrow and the surrounding community.

How Air Purifiers Can Help You as the Weather Gets Warmer

Do Not Display

Air purifiers are guardians of indoor air quality no matter what time of year it may be. However, summer presents season-specific challenges to a comfortable home environment. Here’s how room air purifiers can benefit your home during the hot months ahead.

Keeping the Summer House Healthy

As outdoor temperatures and humidity rise during the summer, houses tend to be more closed up in order to retain air conditioning as well as keep out summer humidity. However, a tightly sealed house without outdoor ventilation can rapidly accumulate airborne particulates like dust and mold spores, as well as chemical vapors and odors.

An air purifier typically integrates high-efficiency HEPA filters to remove particulates and may include extras such as UV lights to sterilize the air and kill bacteria and viruses. More advanced technology such as ionization and photocatalysis is also available with some air purifiers, depending on the unit. Even a closed-up house on a hot summer day can enjoy clean, healthy air.

Feeling Cooler All Day

An air purifier is not an air conditioner. However, it's a small air mover and, much like the larger effect of a ceiling fan, an air purifier can make a room feel cooler by exposing occupants to moving air. The effect of moving air on humans and pets makes a room feel up to 5 degrees cooler without actually lowering the indoor temperature. In addition to enhancing indoor comfort, this saves money on air-conditioning expenses because you can set the thermostat a few degrees higher without sacrificing comfort level.

Fresh Air at Night

When temperatures drop after sundown on a hot summer day, flushing the house with cool night air is a welcome way to freshen the indoor environment. However, outdoor air may also include unwanted particulates and impurities that are naturally present at a specific locale. Efficient, effective air purification continuously filtering and sanitizing the air allows you to enjoy the coolness and other benefits of fresh night air while also safeguarding the indoor environment.

For more details about the benefits of air purifiers during the hot summer season, talk to the air-quality experts at Air Assurance.