Uncategorized July 28, 2025

What To Set My Thermostat to When It Is Hot

As summer temperatures rise, we all know how important air conditioning can be to our comfort. Many of us are tempted to crank down the thermostat to escape the summer heat. However, is there such a thing as too low of a thermostat temperature in the summer?

Our experts share the ideal temperature to set your thermostat to in hot weather, to maximize both comfort and efficiency.

What is the Best Thermostat Setting for Summer?

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends keeping your home at 78° Fahrenheit when you’re home and awake during the summer months. This temperature strikes a good balance between staying comfortable while limiting strain on your AC unit.

Of course, “comfortable” is subjective and varies from person to person. If 78° feels too warm for your preference, you can lower it a couple of degrees.

Just remember, every degree you raise the thermostat over 72° can save you up to 3% on cooling costs in hot weather.

Recommended Daily Thermostat Schedule

To maximize comfort and efficiency even more than the suggested 78°, you can change your thermostat settings throughout the day based on your routine. Programmable or smart thermostats can help make this even easier, too.

Thermostat Temperatures for When You’re Home and Awake

• 76°-78° is ideal during the day if you are home. This will keep you comfortable but still stay efficient and prevent your AC from running in too long of cycles.
• Use ceiling fans to help circulate the air and add a breeze to make it feel cooler.
• Avoid setting the thermostat too low. If it is 95° degrees out, even if you set your thermostat to 68° degrees, your AC will most likely not be able to reach this temperature and will just use more energy.

Settings for When You’re Away from Home:

• Raise your thermostat up a few degrees when you leave the house. This will reduce strain on your AC and limit energy consumption when you don’t need it.
• Setting your thermostat between 80°-85° when you’re away during the day or on vacation can boost energy savings.
• If you have pets that stay at home, we recommend keeping your thermostat between 78° and 80° so your furry friends can still stay safe and comfortable.

Best Temperatures for When You’re Sleeping:

• Most people sleep better when it’s cooler. In hot temps, the best thermostat setting at night is between 72°-75°.
• Try to use natural cooling, like opening windows and using fans. The outside temperature naturally gets cooler at night, so take advantage of the cooler hours.

The “20 Degree Rule”

We all have different preferences for the temperature we like our thermostat to be set at. Some people might think 78° is way too hot for their liking—and that’s okay!

When cooling your home, there is a general rule that you shouldn’t set your thermostat lower than 20 degrees below the outdoor temperature. For example, when it is 95° outside, you should set your thermostat to 75 degrees or above. Or, if it is 88 degrees, try to keep your thermostat set to 68° or above.

More than a 20° difference will strain your AC, increase energy costs, and possibly cause breakdowns or unwanted repairs. If you still think it is too warm, try some of the natural cooling suggestions below and take advantage of cooler temperatures at night.

Bonus Tips for Air Conditioning in a Heat Wave

Northern Virginia summers can get hot and muggy, which means your AC must work harder to maintain comfort. If your home gets particularly warm or humid:

• Don’t set the thermostat too low, too fast: Dropping it to 65°F won’t cool your home faster; it will just keep your system running longer.
• Consider using a dehumidifier: Humidity control removes excess moisture and improves comfort at higher thermostat settings.
• Use a programmable or smart thermostat: Set schedules for when you are home, away, or sleeping to avoid unnecessary energy use.
• Keep doors and windows closed: Especially during the hottest part of the day, keep your cool air inside where it belongs.
• Close curtains and blinds: Sunlight streaming through windows can raise indoor temps fast. Use window coverings to reduce heat gain, especially on south-facing windows.
• Use ceiling, floor and window fans: Turning on your fans during the day can help you feel cooler by keeping air flowing. At night, try opening your windows if its cooler, and draw cool air in with window fans.

Keep Your AC Efficient with Parrish

The best way to keep your home comfortable all year round is to get regular air conditioning maintenance. Our professional HVAC technicians at Parrish can perform annual heating and cooling maintenance, as well as help you with emergency repairs when you need them most. Don’t hesitate to book your AC repair or replacement before the next heat wave.

Book now!