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If you’re like us, you don’t want to spend your summer sweating it out indoors. You deserve to feel cool and comfortable in your home without constantly running your air conditioner and incurring a huge energy bill.
While the ideal indoor temperature during summer ultimately depends on personal preference, experts, including Natural Resources Canada and Energy Star, recommend setting your thermostat to around 25°C (or 78°F) for a balance of comfort and efficiency.
If that feels a bit warm for your liking, don’t worry. Keep reading to discover practical tips to keep your home cool, day and night, without overworking your AC.
⭐ What’s the Best AC Temperature for Energy Saving?
To reduce your electricity bills, you can raise your thermostat by about 4–7°C (7–10°F) when you’re not home during the day.
Natural Resources Canada and Energy Star suggest setting your AC to around 29°C (85°F) during peak summer hours when the house is empty. Doing so for just eight hours a day could help you save 5% to 15% on your cooling costs.
Of course, most people wouldn’t want to lounge around at 29°C all day (especially if you work from home), which is why a programmable thermostat is your best friend. You can set it to automatically start cooling before you arrive home—whether that’s after work, errands, or enjoying a patio lunch downtown.
To feel cooler without lowering the temperature, use a ceiling or box fan to circulate the air. Fans create a windchill effect by moving air across your skin, helping you feel up to 2°C (4°F) cooler than the actual room temperature. This means a room set at 25°C (78°F) can feel more like a refreshing 23°C (74°F).
Here are more tips to help your AC run more efficiently:
- Block out the sun: Use thermal curtains, blinds, or shades on your windows to reduce solar heat gain and cool your home faster.
- Seal your space: Weatherstrip doors and windows to keep the cool air in and the hot air out.
- Night matters too: What’s comfortable during the day might be too warm at night. If you work from home, have kids, or struggle to sleep in the heat, keep in mind that your body needs cooler temperatures during sleep, especially during REM cycles when thermoregulation stops.
Bottom line: minor adjustments to your daily routine and environment can go a long way toward keeping cool and saving money.
⭐ Best AC Temperature for Sleeping in Summer
Setting your thermostat to the right air conditioner temperature in summer is a little more complicated.
Finding the right AC temperature for sleeping in the summer takes a bit more thought than setting your daytime temperature.
If you can sleep comfortably in a warmer room, Energy Star recommends increasing your nighttime setting by around 2°C (4°F) above your regular daytime setting to save energy.
But let’s be honest, most people sleep better in cooler conditions. For optimal rest, the recommended sleeping temperature during summer is between 15.5°C and 20°C (60°F to 68°F).
If you live in a region that cools down at night, opening your windows in the evening is a great way to cool your home naturally. Just remember to close them in the morning before temperatures rise, so you trap in that cool air and give your AC a head start.
Using a ceiling or oscillating fan in the bedroom can also help circulate air while you sleep, creating a more consistent and comfortable temperature throughout your home, without having to crank down the thermostat.
⭐ What is the Average Air Conditioning Temperature
The average air conditioning temperature varies based on a few key factors—your geographic location, time of year, comfort preferences, and local energy costs all play a role.
That said, for most households in Canada and across North America, a typical indoor summer temperature ranges from 22°C to 25.5°C (72°F to 78°F).
Generally, most people feel comfortable with indoor temperatures between 21°C and 24°C (70°F to 76°F) during the warmer months. This range strikes a balance between energy efficiency and personal comfort, especially when paired with ceiling fans and proper insulation.
⭐ Setting your Air Conditioner with a Programmable Thermostat and Zone Control
Installing a programmable thermostat and zone control system is one of the most effective ways to keep your home cool during the summer while reducing your energy bills.
It eliminates the guesswork and forgetfulness. For instance, you can program your thermostat to start cooling your home 30 minutes before you return, so you walk into a comfortable environment without overspending on electricity throughout the day.
Zone control is especially useful at night. It allows you to cool just the bedrooms while avoiding the cost of conditioning the entire house.
That said, automation alone won’t keep your system efficient. Regular maintenance is just as important.
One of the simplest and most impactful tasks you can do yourself? Change your air filter regularly. It keeps your AC running efficiently and helps improve indoor air quality during the hottest months of the year.
⭐ Thermostat Not Reaching Set Temperature
If your home isn’t reaching the temperature you’ve set—no matter the season—it’s time to start troubleshooting.
In HVAC, minor issues can quickly escalate into more significant (and costly) problems. Simply lowering the thermostat temperature isn’t a viable solution. It just forces your AC to run longer, putting unnecessary strain on components like the compressor, which can cost over half the price of a new system.
Before you call in a pro, here’s a quick checklist you can work through:
✅ Check the Thermostat
- Location matters: Is your thermostat in direct sunlight, near a hot appliance, or installed in an unusually warm room? All of these can throw off temperature readings.
- Mounting angle: Ensure it’s sitting flush against the wall—not tilted or off-level.
- Cleanliness: Dust buildup inside the thermostat can affect performance. Remove the cover, gently clean the interior, and ensure all wires and terminals are securely in place.
- Battery check: If your thermostat uses batteries, make sure they’re not running low.
✅ Check the Air Filters
When was the last time you changed your filter?
During summer or periods of heavy system use, filters clog faster. A dirty filter restricts airflow and can stop your system from reaching the set temperature. We often get calls where the only issue is a clogged filter.
✅ Check the Outdoor AC Unit
Inspect the outdoor condenser unit:
- Clear away weeds, grass, or debris that may be blocking airflow.
- Make sure there’s at least 60 cm (2 feet) of clearance around the unit.
- While you’re there, check that the AC fan is spinning freely and running correctly.
✅ Consider the Age of Your AC
Most air conditioners last between 10 to 15 years. As systems age, their performance and energy efficiency decline. If your unit is nearing the end of its lifespan, it may be time to consider upgrading to a newer, more efficient model.
If these steps don’t resolve the issue, it’s best to call a certified HVAC technician to diagnose the root cause and get your home back to a comfortable temperature.
⭐ Time to Call in the Professionals?
While tasks like changing air filters and scheduling regular maintenance can improve your AC’s efficiency, even setting your thermostat to the right temperature can have a significant impact on your comfort and energy bills. If your system still isn’t keeping you cool, it might be time to call in the pros.
At Vernon Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical Services, we provide expert air conditioning services designed to keep your home comfortable throughout the summer.
Serving homeowners across the North Okanagan, our licensed HVAC technicians can help you find the ideal solution for your cooling needs.
Want to enhance your home comfort? Explore our other air conditioning articles or contact us today.
