Why Is Setting the Correct AC Temperature in Summer Important?

Inland Empire Comfort
June 14, 2022

During the Riverside County, CA, summers, you shift away from toasty radiators and try to find the spot closest to your AC unit. Your desire to stay chilled may prompt you to turn your thermostat down to the 60s or low 70s, especially if you’re active or simply the type of person who prefers the lower temperatures of the warmer months. 

 

However, we at Inland Empire Comfort know how to keep your comfort level up while reducing your utility bills. Trust us to help you find the correct AC temperature in the summer heat with our suggestions below.


The Perfect Indoor Climate Varies in Temperature

Temperatures in the 60s and low 70s cause your unit to work harder to produce your desired indoor climate. Your AC may require more repairs during each maintenance check and will likely give out before its 15-year lifespan, causing you to dish out money for minor repairs that eventually add up. 

 

Also, each degree you drop your unit thermostat will increase your bill by at least 1%, again taking a toll on your wallet. Unnecessarily low temperatures cause the average Riverside County household to spend up to 25% more on utility bills. The best way to ensure you’re not part of this statistic is by considering these general rules while keeping in mind the time of day and your access to the controlled air. 

 

Set your indoor temperature to:

 

  • 78 degrees when you’re at home since the U.S. Department of Energy agrees it’s a comfortable temperature and saves money on your monthly electrical bills
  • 82 degrees during bedtime since your body tends to drop a few degrees as it goes into rest mode, and many don’t feel the warmer temps while asleep
  • 85 degrees when you’re out of the house since you won’t experience the slightly warmer indoor climate, but it’ll still keep your home cooler than the outdoor temperatures for relief upon your return home

 

However, to get the most out of your unit, call for air conditioning services by Inland Empire Comfort in Riverside. We’ll guarantee your AC is running smoothly and performing efficiently despite your AC temperature in summer. 


Factors That Make 78 Degrees Bearable for Doubters 

Unfortunately, Riverside County owners and renters do not widely accept the temperatures above. After all, if some individuals need their units at 80 degrees, why would they go through the trouble of installing and running their air conditioners just to set them two degrees below the outdoor climate? 

 

Here, we’ll discuss how to make those two degrees feel up to ten degrees cooler with some cost-effective tricks. 


Ceiling Fans for Circulation

Turning on ceiling fans creates a refreshing downcast that makes the summer more bearable. Sadly, as we all know, the only thing fans do in high humidity is spread warm air, which frustrates residents. 

 

That’s because a fan doesn’t produce cooler temperatures. Instead, it circulates existing air that feels good on the skin as it brushes against you but doesn’t relieve the room of heat. 

 

Next time, partner a ceiling fan with your unit and run your system at a lower AC temperature in summer since the fan moves the cooler air throughout the home for a more uniform brisk feel. A fan running counterclockwise also removes stagnant warm air near the ceiling by bringing it down and mixing it with the cooler air. That produces less trapped humidity and assists with lower energy bills. 


Proper UV Ray Protection 

Indoor heat doesn’t only come from the outdoor air that came in with you as you entered your home. If you have multiple south-facing windows, they’re baking in UV rays from morning until evening. That means heat is constantly transferring through the glass and latching onto indoor surfaces like cloth furniture, rugs, and certain floor types like marble and soapstone. 

 

Prevent this by pulling your curtains closed or the blinds down, especially during the early afternoons when sunlight is the strongest on south-facing windows. If you need this natural light in these high-profile rooms during the day or have indoor plants that thrive on indirect rays, use window films or shades that filter the rays, drastically lessening heat in your home. 


Assistance with Programmable Thermostats 

Does an 85-degree indoor climate sound doable when you’re out of the house? If the thought of that makes you feel more secure with your utility bills but also scares you since you don’t want to come home to a heated house, consider programmable thermostats. These thermostats schedule appropriate temperatures for each moment of the week, so a comfortable temperature is always waiting for you. 

 

For instance, if you’ll be out of the house most of the day on Saturday, program your thermostat to a higher degree, but set it to lower during your commute home. Smart thermostats also come in handy since you can use your smart device to alter your indoor climate at any time of the day, perfect for unexpected schedule changes. 


Programmable thermostats vary in schedules. For example, a one-week setting will give you one set degree for the week, a 5-2 thermostat setting will provide a different temperature on the weekends depending on your availability, and a 7-day setting will adapt to a new schedule daily. 


Trust Our Five-Star Riverside Service 

Whether you need the best programmable thermostat on the market, an AC repair, or an HVAC unit upgrade, the expert technicians at Inland Empire Comfort promise quality services, and our partnering manufacturing companies guarantee top-notch craftsmanship.

 

We’ve seen it all. We know the possible reasons why your AC stopped blowing cold air, why your air quality might be low, and why your home is still warm, even in the coldest settings. 

 

With almost 300 5-star customer reviews, trust Inland Empire Comfort to provide you with the appropriate AC temperature in summer by calling 951-336-1817 today!

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