As outdoor temperatures climb, utility bills will likely climb too for homeowners who switch on their central air conditioning systems. If you’re concerned about those rising costs, you might try to skimp a bit on the AC—even if it means squabbles in the family over which temperature setting is most comfortable.
In this article
- Tips: Setting AC Temperatures Maximizing AC Effectiveness What to Do With Window ACs
- Best Thermostats: Smart Programmable
But dialing back can be worth it: You’ll save about 3 percent on your utility bill for every degree you raise the set temperature for your central air, according to the Department of Energy. That’s why picking a happy medium to keep cool and lower your energy bill is important, and we can give you some guidelines to dial in the best AC setting that’ll help you achieve that.
Tips for Setting Your Air Conditioner Temperature
Both the Department of Energy and Energy Star, a joint federal program run by the DOE and the Environmental Protection Agency, recommend that for optimal cooling and energy efficiency, you start by finding a temperature at which you’re comfortable when you’re at home and awake. Once your family agrees on a thermostat setting, Energy Star suggests increasing that temperature by 4° F when you’re asleep and 7° F when no one is home.
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Best Programmable Thermostats
A smart or programmable thermostat makes it easy to match your cooling needs to your schedule, but you can make the adjustments manually if you don’t have one for your central air system. For example, you can try the following settings:
• 78° F when you’re home
• 85° F when you’re at work or away
• 82° F when you’re sleeping
But not everyone finds those temperatures comfortable. According to a nationally representative Consumer Reports survey (PDF) of 2,280 U.S. adults in June 2021, the average temperature that Americans keep their thermostats set to is about 71 F during the day and night. The temperature varies a smidge by region, with Americans living in the South reporting that they set their temperatures the highest (72° F during the day and 71° F at night), and those living in the Northeast set it coldest (70° F both day and night).
If you’re more heat-tolerant, you can experiment with the temperature, raising it 1° F at a time to see how it affects your comfort and your budget; that 3 percent savings per degree adds up pretty quickly. Do the opposite if you’re less heat-tolerant—try lowering the temperature 1° F at a time, and see how comfortable you are at the new setting before ratcheting it down further.
Getting the Most Out Of Your Home’s Central AC
If you have a fan, turn it on. A ceiling fan or box fan causes a wind chill effect that makes an air conditioner feel cooler when it’s set to a higher temperature setting, as long as the humidity isn’t too high.
If you live in an area with moderate temperatures, you might not need your central air conditioning all day and night. Take advantage of cooler temperatures at night by keeping your windows open. Close them first thing in the morning, and keep your shades and curtains drawn when it’s sunny outside to prevent the sun from heating up the house.
If you need the AC when you get home, program it to go on before you arrive or, with some thermostats, turn it on with a smartphone app.
If there’s a heat wave, avoid using your washer, dryer, and dishwasher during the heat of the day. Also make sure you use the exhaust fans in your kitchen when you’re cooking, or in the bathroom when you’re taking a shower.
Cooking outside on your grill is another way to keep the heat out of the house.
What to Do If You Have a Window AC
If you don’t have central air and depend on window air conditioners, it’s more difficult to keep your home at the perfect temperature. Because the thermostat is in the unit itself, it registers the temperature in that part of the room and might not provide a consistent temperature throughout the space you want to cool, depending on how big and open the room is.
That means getting the right comfort level requires more trial and error. Start with a setting that you find comfortable and see how it affects your energy bill. If you have a window unit in your bedroom, wait until 30 minutes or so before you go to bed to turn it on so that you’re not spending too much time or money cooling an empty room.
Save Money With a Smart or Programmable Thermostat
Using a smart or programmable thermostat is an easy and reliable way to set and maintain temperatures that work with your schedule. In our testing, we’ve found that our top-rated programmable thermostats are easier to program compared with earlier models. But if you’re interested in automation, remote access, or monitoring from afar, smart thermostats are the way to go.
For the fully automated approach using an app from your smartphone, try one of the smart models featured below. If you prefer not to fiddle with your smartphone to set your thermostat, try a programmable model that you can adjust at home.
CR members can read on for ratings of the top three smart and programmable thermostats from our tests. Also, check out our thermostat buying guide to learn how we test thermostats in our labs and how to choose a thermostat that fits your needs.
Best Smart Thermostats
