When it comes to setting your thermostat in the summer, one of the most common questions is: Is 72 a good temperature for air conditioning? The answer depends on a variety of factors, including your comfort preferences, health considerations, energy costs, and the climate you live in. Finding the right temperature for your home or office can take some trial and error. Here are some things to consider when deciding if 72 degrees Fahrenheit is a good setting for your air conditioner.
Comfort Considerations
Comfort is highly subjective when it comes to thermostat settings. Some people prefer things cool, enjoying temperatures around 68-70 degrees. Others like a warmer home and are comfortable around 74-76 degrees. At 72 degrees Fahrenheit, most people find a happy medium that offers reasonable comfort without being too chilly or too warm.
Here are some comfort factors to keep in mind:
– Humidity: More humid climates can cause 72 degrees to feel warmer than more arid climates. You may want a lower setting when humidity is high.
– Activity level: If you are active and moving around, you may be comfortable at slightly higher temps than if you are sedentary.
– Clothing: Light summer clothing is usually comfortable at 72 degrees. If you tend to get chilly, wearing long sleeves can allow for higher thermostat settings.
– Personal preference: Some people sleep better in cooler temps, while others like a cozy, warmer home. Take your own comfort needs into account.
– Age: Young children and elderly individuals may require slightly warmer indoor temperatures for comfort and health.
– Window sunlight: Rooms with more windows and direct sunlight often feel warmer than interior rooms. You may need different zone settings.
– Number of occupants: More people in a home or office increases body heat, allowing for higher thermostat settings.
Health Considerations
Indoor temperature settings can impact health, especially for vulnerable populations like children, seniors, or those with medical conditions. Here are some health factors to consider related to 72 degree AC:
– Infants: Babies cannot regulate body temperature well. Keep nurseries at around 72-74 degrees for safety.
– Elderly: Seniors may require slightly warmer settings around 74-76 degrees to support health.
– Respiratory conditions: Those with allergies or asthma benefit from AC set to around 72 degrees.
– Humidity: Keep humidity below 50-60% to avoid mold/mildew issues which exacerbate respiratory illness.
– Circulation: For those with diabetes, Reynaud’s syndrome and other circulation issues, 72-74 degrees helps prevent extremities from getting too cold.
– Sunlight safety: Using AC to keep indoor temps moderate can help prevent overheating when spending time outdoors in direct sun.
– Physical comfort: Temps too far outside 72-74 degrees can disrupt sleep cycles and cause lethargy or hyperactivity.
– Mood regulation: Maintaining comfortable ambient temperatures helps regulate stress hormones and encourages mental well-being.
Energy Efficiency and Costs
One major factor in thermostat settings is the impact on your energy bills. Lowering your AC temperature significantly increases energy usage and costs. Here are some things to consider for efficiency:
| Temperature Setting | Estimated Increase in Energy Bill |
|---|---|
| 70 degrees | Up to 18% higher |
| 72 degrees | Up to 10% higher |
| 74 degrees | Up to 4% higher |
| 76 degrees | Baseline setting |
As you can see, even small decreases in temperature settings can make a big difference in your utility expenses. Other efficiency tips include:
– Smart or programmable thermostats: Program temps to be higher when away at work or asleep. Smart thermostats learn patterns and help save energy.
– Fan setting: Use “auto” not “on” mode, so fans only run when AC is actively cooling.
– Routine maintenance: Replace filters, get tune-ups, and address leaks or other issues promptly to ensure units run efficiently.
– Shade and insulation: Keep sun from directly hitting your AC unit. Ensure good insulation to retain cooled air.
– Upgrade older units: Newer AC units can be 50-60% more energy efficient, saving you money long-term.
Ideal Temperature by Climate
While 72 degrees may be a reasonable thermostat setting in many regions, the ideal temperature ultimately depends on where you live. Here are suggestions by climate:
| Climate | Recommended Temperature |
|---|---|
| Hot and humid (e.g. Florida, Gulf Coast) | 72-74° F |
| Hot and dry (e.g. Texas, Arizona) | 70-74° F |
| Temperate (e.g. Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Northwest) | 68-72° F |
| Continental (e.g. Plains, Midwest) | 68-74° F |
As you can see, in more extreme heat, higher temps in the 72-74 degree range are needed for comfort and efficiency. More moderate climates may be comfortable with slightly cooler temps down to 68-70 degrees.
Ideal Temperature by Room
Besides climate, optimal temperature settings also vary by room based on use patterns. Here are suggested ranges by room:
| Room | Recommended Temperature |
|---|---|
| Living room | 68-74° F |
| Kitchen | 70-74° F |
| Bedrooms | 66-72° F |
| Office / study | 68-72° F |
| Bathrooms | 70-75° F |
| Garage / basement | 65-70° F |
Bedrooms and less used rooms can often be kept a bit cooler. Active rooms like kitchens and bathrooms benefit from slightly warmer temperatures. Programmable and smart thermostats allow customizing zone temperatures by room.
Best Times of Day for 72 Degrees
While 72 degrees is reasonable for most hours of the day, you can optimize energy efficiency even more by customizing the schedule. Here are some suggested times for keeping home or office temps at 72 degrees:
– Daytime when occupied: Keep temperatures moderate during waking and work hours for comfort.
– Early evening hours: Maintaining 72 degrees in the evening allows residents to stay comfortable before bed.
– Overnight: Let temperatures rise to 74-78 degrees when sleeping, since less cooling is needed.
– Away hours: Raise temperatures to 78-80 degrees when away at work or on vacation to save energy.
You can program this type of schedule on a programmable thermostat. Smart thermostats learn your patterns and automatically adjust temperatures during peak energy usage times.
Pros of Keeping Home or Office Temp at 72 Degrees
Here are some of the main benefits of maintaining indoor temperatures around 72 degrees Fahrenheit:
– Comfortable ambient temperature for most people
– Reasonable compromise between cool and warm settings
– Energy efficient compared to significantly lower thermostat settings
– Safe temperature range for children and seniors
– Avoid issues like mold, mildew and dust mites which thrive in warmer indoor temps
– Cool enough to support healthy sleep patterns
– Warm enough to allow light clothing rather than heavy layers
– Reasonable utility costs compared to extreme energy usage from very low or very high thermostat settings
Potential Cons of 72 Degrees
While 72 degrees Fahrenheit is a comfortable and reasonable temperature for most, there are also some downsides to consider:
– May be too cool for some people who prefer warmer temperatures
– Can feel chilly with certain medical conditions or circulation issues
– Higher energy usage and bills compared to letting home get warmer when vacant
– Doesn’t account for differences in humidity, sunlight, and other factors
– Not warm enough for infants, young children and some elderly individuals
– Can be perceived as too moderate, not allowing for significant energy savings from higher temps
– May require a sweater, blanket or layers for people prone to feeling chilly
Conclusion
When weighing all the factors of comfort, health, efficiency and climate, a 72 degree Fahrenheit temperature is a very reasonable thermostat setting for most homes and offices in warm weather months. This offers moderate energy usage and provides comfortable indoor conditions for the majority of people. However, you may want to adjust from 72 degrees slightly up or down based on your climate, the room, time of day, occupancy patterns, and your own preferences. Programmable and smart thermostats make it easy to customize temperature schedules throughout the day and across seasons. With some adjustments for your specific situation, 72 degrees can be a great baseline for your summer AC. Just be sure to consider humidity, climate, and the needs of infants and seniors as you fine tune your ideal setting.