Finding the right summer thermostat setting can feel like a daily battle in Central Texas. You want your home to feel comfortable, but you also do not want your air conditioner working harder than necessary or your electric bill climbing higher every month.
So, what temperature should you choose?
The truth is that there is not one perfect thermostat setting for every home. The best setting depends on your comfort preferences, your home, your cooling system, and how much heat enters the house throughout the day.
There is no single perfect temperature
Some homeowners are comfortable at a higher temperature, while others prefer their home cooler. Families with young children, older adults, pets, health concerns, or bedrooms located on the warmer side of the house may also have different comfort needs.
Instead of chasing one specific number, begin with a temperature that feels comfortable and that your air conditioner can maintain. From there, small adjustments can help you find a balance between comfort and energy use.
A difference of even one or two degrees can affect how often your system runs during the hottest part of the day.
Lowering the thermostat does not cool your home faster
When you walk into a warm house, it can be tempting to lower the thermostat several degrees below your usual setting. However, most air conditioners do not cool faster simply because the thermostat is set lower.
The thermostat tells the system what temperature you want the home to reach. Setting it extremely low usually causes the air conditioner to run longer rather than produce colder air.
Choose the temperature you actually want and allow the system time to cool the home gradually.
Make small adjustments instead of large changes
If you want to experiment with a higher summer thermostat setting, adjust it one degree at a time. Give your family time to get used to each change before raising it again.
Small changes are often less noticeable than suddenly increasing the temperature several degrees. Ceiling fans may also help occupied rooms feel more comfortable, allowing some homeowners to use a slightly higher thermostat setting.
Remember that fans cool people, not empty rooms, so turn them off when no one is using the space.
What should you do when no one is home?
When the house will be empty for several hours, you may be able to raise the thermostat a few degrees rather than maintaining the same temperature you use while everyone is home.
There is usually no need to turn the air conditioner completely off for a normal workday. In Central Texas, an uncooled house can become extremely warm and may take a long time to cool down again when you return.
A programmable or smart thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature according to your schedule. It can raise the setting while the home is empty and begin cooling before you return.
If you will be away for several days, consider the needs of pets, plants, medications, electronics, and anything else in the home that may be affected by extreme heat or humidity.
Help your home stay comfortable without lowering the thermostat
Your thermostat is only one part of summer comfort. You can also reduce the amount of heat entering your home by:
- Closing blinds or curtains during the sunniest part of the day
- Keeping exterior doors and windows closed
- Using ceiling fans in occupied rooms
- Avoiding heat-producing appliances during the hottest part of the afternoon
- Replacing a dirty air filter
- Keeping supply vents and return grilles open and unobstructed
These small steps may help your air conditioner maintain the thermostat setting more easily.
When the thermostat setting may not be the real problem
If your air conditioner cannot maintain a reasonable temperature, repeatedly changing the thermostat may not solve the problem.
It may be time to have the system checked if:
- The indoor temperature continues to rise while the AC is running
- Your air conditioner runs constantly but the home remains uncomfortable
- Airflow from the vents feels weak
- Some rooms are consistently much warmer than others
- The system is turning on and off unusually often
- Ice appears on the indoor or outdoor equipment
- Your electric bill increases unexpectedly
- The thermostat display or temperature reading seems incorrect
A dirty filter, airflow restriction, thermostat issue, equipment problem, ductwork concern, or another condition may be affecting the system’s performance.
Should you replace your thermostat?
A thermostat does not need to be replaced simply because it is older, but replacement may be worth considering if the display is failing, the temperature reading is inaccurate, the controls are unreliable, or you want scheduling and remote-access features.
Before purchasing a new thermostat, make sure it is compatible with your heating and cooling equipment. Not every thermostat works properly with every system.
An HVAC professional can help confirm compatibility and install the thermostat correctly.
Local AC service in Belton and Central Texas
The best summer thermostat setting is one that keeps your household reasonably comfortable without asking your air conditioner to do more than it can handle.
If your system is struggling to maintain temperature, running constantly, or leaving parts of your home uncomfortable, Bell Air Conditioning can help determine whether the thermostat, airflow, equipment, or another issue is contributing to the problem.
Give Bell Air Conditioning, Inc. a call at (254) 939-1141 or request service online. We are happy to help.
Bell Air Conditioning, Inc.
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