What are the Best Central Air Temperature Settings?

Date: May 6, 2024

We help you balance cool summer comfort and energy savings.

central air boston, ma One of the joys of living in the Boston area is the relief that comes as spring turns to summer. This time of the year in New England is filled with blossoms and perfectly warm afternoons. Soon, though, we’ll be facing sweltery weather in Massachusetts.

The Cubby Oil & Energy team is here to help you ensure your most comfortable home, even when the mercury is topping out this summer. With these tips, you can stay cool and comfortable without breaking the bank on your electric bills.

The Perfect Summer Thermostat Temperatures

One of the largest energy expenses that U.S. families have is their central air conditioning. This HVAC equipment is essential for your family’s quality of life, and some careful thermostat management can keep everyone cool while minimizing your energy use. We often suggest 78° F as a good baseline setting that will maintain your home comfort in the summer while tamping down electricity bills.

Of course, every household is different. Your family needs and house layout can impact whether this temperature works for you. Try starting the cooling season with this temperature on your thermostat and adjust as needed. Overall, we recommend choosing a setting and sticking with it while you’re at home and awake.

Sensible Central A/C Adjustments

The U.S. Department of Energy suggests that homeowners can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling expenses by turning back their thermostats by 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day. A programmable or smart thermostat can help you adjust your central A/C when you’re asleep or out of the house.

Here are some general guidelines:

Program your thermostat to raise temperatures 20 to 30 minutes before you leave home each day, and return the temperature setting to normal 20 to 30 minutes before you come home.
Program reductions in cooling to begin 60 minutes before you go to sleep and return them to normal 30 minutes before you wake up.

More Smart Ways to Reduce Central A/C Costs

Here are three more simple ways to reduce your central air conditioning usage this summer without sacrificing comfort:

When you move air around with ceiling fans, you can make your home feel cooler for pennies a day and keep your thermostat a little higher.
Checking your system’s air filters every month and replacing or cleaning them if they’re dirty can improve your home cooling efficiency by 10% to 15%. It’s also great for your indoor air quality since these filters capture dust, pollen, mold and other pollutants before they enter your living spaces.
Arrange annual cooling maintenance for your central A/C. This will keep your system’s efficiency higher, reduce the likelihood of breakdowns and extend your A/C service life.

Cubby Is Here for Your Central A/C Needs!

If you haven’t had air conditioning maintenance service in a while, contact Cubby Oil & Energy today to set up an appointment before the summer rush happens. Our HVAC experts are also available to discuss your A/C upgrade options if your system is getting up in years. Installing a new, higher-efficiency central air conditioner can substantially lower your energy spending for years to come.

Get in touch with us to arrange service or receive a free estimate on new cooling equipment.