What's The Right Temperature for My Air Conditioner in The Summer?

We all want to stay cool during the hot summer without breaking the bank. So, the question roaming in our mind is, what's the right temperature for my air conditioner in the summer?

The right temperature for your air conditioner in the summer is between the range of  24°C to 26°C. While the AC is set to this range you can expect a cool, and comfortable escape from the heat. However, the exact temperature can differ from individual to individual with age and health conditions. 

How about we discuss this in detail to help you find the temperature that is just right for you and your wallet-

Importance of Setting the Right AC Temperature in Summer

The importance of setting the right AC temperature goes beyond just a cool and comfortable environment. The right temperature of AC significantly impacts your health, your energy bills aka your pocket, and the environment.

AC set to 18 degrees Celsius needs to work much harder to reach that temperature. This leads to higher energy consumption and more greenhouse gas emissions, translating to higher energy bills and detrimental effects on ecosystems, wildlife, and natural habitats. 

Moreover, excessively low temperatures can harm your health, causing dry skin, stiff muscles, and disrupting sleep patterns.

Contrarily, a hot and steamy environment due to higher temperature settings in AC like 30 degrees Celsius can lead to heat stress and discomfort. And that would be a complete miss of the main purpose of having an air conditioner.

So finding the correct AC temperature is essential in summer for you and the planet. But which temperature is the right one for you?

What's The Right Temperature for My Air Conditioner in The Summer?

The right temperature for your air conditioner in the summer is between  24°C to 26°C (75°F to 79°F). Between this range, you can expect a cool and comfortable environment all while keeping energy consumption in check

Experts in Bangladesh do suggest sticking to 25°C or 78°F, as this temperature strikes a balance. The average human body temperature is around 37°C and the average annual temperature of Bangladesh is around 26°C.

So setting the temperature at  25°C will provide a noticeable cooling effect from the outdoor environment without a drastic change. It will create a pleasant indoor environment while effectively managing your electricity costs.

However, you need to keep individual preferences and humidity factors into consideration as well. Moreover, with ever-changing weather, this particular temperature might not always be right for you, so you need to know how to set the perfect temperature yourself.

The first step towards that is understanding the factors you need to consider while setting your summer AC temperature.

Factors to Consider When Setting Your Summer AC Temperature

To ensure optimal AC temperature along with cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency here are the factors you need to consider-

1. Understanding Comfort Levels, Activity, and Individual Preferences

Comfort is subjective. What feels perfect for one person might leave another shivering. Factors like age, health, and activity level all play a role. 

While inside an air-conditioned room children and older adults usually prefer slightly warmer settings, around 26°C. But young adults with more active lifestyles find slightly cooler temperatures like  24°C more comfortable.

Moreover, different activities in different rooms will require specific settings of temperature. For example, a kid's nursery, living room, or home gym will require different temperature settings. 

You also need to consider individuals with health conditions. They may need specific temperatures for quick recovery. Consult with their healthcare professional for the recommended temperature in this case.

Additionally, you have to keep your furry friends' needs in check as well. Pets may have different temperature preferences than humans.

So, keep the individuals and their activity in the room in mind and set the temperature accordingly.

2. Outdoor Temperature & Humidity Levels

You need to adjust your AC temperature based on the outdoor temperature. On extremely hot days, you may need to set the AC a bit lower to 24°C to maintain a comfortable indoor environment.

High humidity on the other hand also needs to be considered while setting the temperature. High humidity usually makes indoor temperatures feel warmer than they actually are.

So, consider setting your AC slightly lower to offset this discomfort caused by high humidity.

3. Energy Efficiency Considerations for Optimal Temperature Settings

We all want a frosty escape on a hot summer day. But blasting your AC to reach the lowest temperature is not good for the long run of both AC and the environment. 

So you need to pick a temperature that is both energy efficient and able to provide optimal cooling.

But picking an energy-efficient temperature doesn't mean you will be compromising on having a cool and comfortable environment.

You only have to pick a more energy-efficient temperature and keep the cooling cycle in check so that AC consumes less energy. You can pick between 25- 28°C for an on-and-off cooling cycle along with a ceiling fan.

Most ACs these days come with timer settings, which will automatically turn off and on depending on the set temperature and time. This ensures optimal cooling all while being energy efficient. Keeping the ceiling fan on at medium to low speed will also help to distribute cool air more.

This way you can ensure a reduction of energy consumption and low electricity bills and help Bangladesh manage its limited resources during peak demand. It's a win-win for your wallet and the environment!

4. Health and Wellbeing Effects of Temperature Extremes

Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can negatively impact your health. On one side excessive heat can lead to dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even heatstroke.

On the other side, excessively cold temperatures can cause chills, muscle stiffness, and even worsen respiratory problems. So you need to set a comfortable temperature that promotes overall health and well-being.

5. Maintenance Needs & Cost Considerations

Extremely low temperatures can put a strain on your AC system and increase the need for maintenance. So, you need to avoid setting the temperature too low to prevent excessive wear and tear on your AC.

Moreover, lowering the temperature too much can lead to higher energy bills. So, finding a balance between comfort and cost-effectiveness is also an essential factor to consider while setting the temperature.

Understanding these considerations is key to finding your ideal summer AC temperature. Now, why don't we explore some practical tips to help you set the right temperature? 

Practical Tips for Setting The Right Temperature

With the right temperature decided through the help factors discussed above, now let's see how you can set it with these practical tips-

1. The first step is to ensure you have the right brand of AC. You need one that will help you cool down the temperature quickly and hold it at the set temperature for the rest of the day. You will find a plethora of brands in House of Butterfly.

2. Make sure the room is well insulated, this will help to cool down the room easily. Also, try to strategically place curtains or blinds to block the sun in the room. This can significantly reduce heat gain in your home and the workload on your AC.

3. Start the AC with 24-26°C temperature and. adjust the temperature by 1°C increments to find your ideal comfort level.

4. Pair your AC with a ceiling fan for an extra cooling boost. The air circulation creates a wind chill effect.

5.  You can keep the room naturally cool by taking advantage of monsoonal winds. These winds will flow through the room and keep it cool throughout. 

6. If you're not at home all day, use a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature automatically.

7. Try wearing lightweight clothes, it will help you stay cool at a slightly warmer temperature. This way you won't have to blast your AC to cool down.

8. Your AC needs to be serviced regularly. A well-maintained unit operates more efficiently and lowers energy consumption.

FAQs

1. Is 28 Degrees Celsius A Good Temperature for an Air Conditioner?

-Yes, 28 degrees Celsius is a good temperature for AC but you need to use the ceiling fan for optimal cooling. As the temperature is lower than suggested, keeping a ceiling fan running at medium to low speed will help in distributing the cooling. 

2. How Many Units of Energy Does An Air Conditioner Consume in 1 Hour?

-Energy consumed by an air conditioner unit depends on its EER or Energy Efficiency Ratio rating. ACs with a 5-star EER rating are known to consume 1.5 units per hour approximately. 3-star EER-rated ACs on the other hand consume slightly higher energy per hour at 1.6 units.

3. Which Mode of Air Conditioner Is Known to Consume Less Electricity?

-Fan mode in air conditioners is known to consume less electricity. When the AC is set to fan mode the compressor unit is switched off and only the blower unit is kept on. In this state, the AC works just like a regular ceiling fan. And with the compressor turned off the AC needs significantly less electricity to operate.

Conclusion

That concludes our discussion on what's the right temperature for my air conditioner in the summer. With the ever-changing weather, you may need to switch between the suggested temperature range for the right temperature for your AC.

But try to set a temperature that chills you out without burning a hole in your wallet or heating the planet.

Until next time!