A close-up of a hand adjusting a digital smart thermostat to a higher temperature setting.
Improper thermostat settings are a primary reason electricity bills skyrocket during the summer. Cranking your air conditioner to freezing might offer fast relief, but it guarantees a massive utility bill.
Climate control experts recommend keeping your air conditioner within a highly specific range. This strategy successfully balances daily comfort with energy consumption.
The golden rule is simple: the closer your indoor temperature is to the outdoor heat, the less your unit has to work. Reducing that workload translates directly to a lower electricity bill.
The Ideal Thermostat Schedule
Leaving your air conditioner at a single temperature 24 hours a day creates unnecessary spending. A static setting burns through cash that adds up rapidly with every billing cycle.
Experts recommend adjusting your thermostat based on the time of day and household occupancy.
- When you are home: Set the unit between 72°F and 78°F (22°C–26°C).
- When the house is empty: Raise the thermostat 7°F above your usual comfort setting.
- When sleeping: Aim for 60°F to 67°F (15°C–19°C), a range explicitly recommended by the National Sleep Foundation.
- When returning home: Never drop the thermostat to the minimum setting. It will not cool the room faster; it only forces the unit to consume maximum energy.
How to Lower Your Cooling Costs
Temperature is only half the battle. Indoor humidity also affects energy use significantly.
Humidity levels above 50% make a room feel noticeably hotter, often prompting people to lower the thermostat without needing to. You should aim to keep indoor humidity strictly between 30% and 50%.
You can further reduce the physical strain on your air conditioning unit by making a few minor operational adjustments around the house.
- Block the sun: Close curtains and blinds during peak daylight hours to reduce solar heat gain.
- Trap the cool air: Ventilate the house at night and firmly close all windows at dawn.
- Block the heat: Inspect and seal gaps around exterior doors and windows to prevent hot air from entering.
- Limit appliance use: Avoid running the oven, stove, or clothes dryer during the hottest parts of the day.
- Move the air: Install ceiling fans to distribute chilled air throughout the room more efficiently.
- Automate the system: Use a programmable or smart thermostat to adjust temperatures automatically based on your daily schedule.
