What is the best temperature to set my home AC?
Keeping your home cool in Florida’s hot and humid climate can be costly, especially if you’re constantly lowering your thermostat as the heat index climbs. Setting your thermostat too low not only drives up your utility bills but also wastes energy. So, what’s the ideal temperature to avoid wasting money or power? Here are our recommended thermostat settings for Florida homes, both during the hotter months and when the weather cools down.
In Hotter Months
In 2009, Energy Star, a program led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), released a report titled “A Guide to Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling.” This report suggested setting your programmable thermostat around 78°F as a starting point, then adjusting it higher when you’re away or asleep.
According to the DOE, “The smaller the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.” Air conditioning systems can provide 17-20° difference between the inside and outside of your home (e.g. heat index of 95° outside = 78° inside).* By minimizing this temperature gap as much as possible, you can keep your home comfortable while also keeping your energy bills in check.
Each degree you lower your thermostat below 78°F can significantly increase your cooling costs (see graphic below). For example, setting your thermostat to 73°F can raise your energy bill by nearly 50%!
Recommended thermostat cool setting and cooling costs
To help manage energy costs, we recommend following the EPA’s example by setting your thermostat as close to 78°F as comfortably possible when you’re home. This temperature strikes a balance between keeping cool and keeping more of your hard-earned money in your pocket.
For Systems with Humidity Control
As Floridians, we know the phrase, “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity,” and this holds true inside your home as well. With a variable-speed air handler and a thermostat that controls humidity (you need both), you can set your cooling temperature to 80°F while it feels like 77°F (see chart below). By reducing indoor humidity from the typical 65% to 50%, you can enjoy the comfort of a lower temperature while not breaking the bank to maintain it.
*Recommended cooling setpoint with improved humidity control
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In Colder Months
In winter months, maintaining a heating setpoint within 20°F of the outside temperature can be challenging. In parts of Florida where temperatures can drop to 40°F or below, setting your thermostat to 60°F may not be realistic. That’s why we recommend using 70°F as a starting point for heating. Then from there, you can adjust the temperature up or down based on your personal comfort and energy-saving goals.
Recommended thermostat heat setting and heating costs
How High/Low Can You Go?
No matter what temperature you prefer as a starting setpoint during Florida’s warmer months, keeping your thermostat at the highest temperature you can comfortably tolerate (or the lowest during colder months) is key to energy efficiency. Whether you’re at home, away, or asleep, this approach can significantly lower your cooling and heating costs while maintaining comfort.
If you have questions or comments about our recommended thermostat temperature settings for Florida homes, contact us today.
*Indoor/outdoor temperature difference is reduced when outdoor temperature exceeds 95°F.
