What Temperature Should I Set My AC to in Minnesota?
People want a number.
There must be one perfect air-conditioning temperature, right?
Not really.
The best thermostat setting is the temperature that balances your comfort, humidity, home, equipment and energy use.
HVAC comfort is more personal than the internet sometimes makes it sound.
There Is No Magic Number for Every House
Two homes set to 72 degrees can feel completely different.
Why?
Because temperature is only one part of comfort.
You also feel:
- Humidity
- Airflow
- Sunlight
- Surface temperatures
- Drafts
- Room-to-room differences
- How much activity is happening in the home
That is why chasing one thermostat number does not always solve a comfort complaint.
Start Where Your Household Is Comfortable
For many homeowners, a reasonable strategy is to choose a comfortable setting and avoid making huge temperature swings throughout the day.
Then observe how the house behaves.
Your thermostat setting can actually reveal useful information about how your home and HVAC system interact.
Should You Raise the Temperature When You Leave?
Usually, there is no need to cool an empty house exactly the same way you cool it while everyone is home.
A modest temperature adjustment when the house is empty can reduce unnecessary cooling.
Smart and programmable thermostats make this easier.
However, aggressively raising the temperature and then asking the AC to recover several degrees during the hottest part of the afternoon may not always create the experience homeowners expect.
The best setback depends on:
- Your home
- Insulation
- Equipment
- Schedule
- Outdoor temperature
- Humidity
- How quickly the system can recover
What About Sleeping?
Many people prefer cooler sleeping temperatures.
That is perfectly reasonable.
Ceiling fans can also improve perceived comfort while people are in the room.
Humidity Changes Everything
During humid weather, homeowners sometimes keep lowering the thermostat because the house feels sticky.
But the real issue may be moisture.
If your thermostat says 70 and the house still feels clammy, lowering it to 67 may not address the underlying problem.
Possible contributors include:
- Short cooling cycles
- Oversized equipment
- Airflow issues
- High indoor moisture
- Ventilation
- Building-envelope problems
Don't Try to “Help” the AC by Setting It Extremely Low
Setting the thermostat to 60 degrees does not usually make a conventional air conditioner produce colder air faster.
It simply tells the system to continue cooling until the thermostat reaches the requested temperature.
Set it to 72°.
You do not need to tell it 62 first.
When the Thermostat Setting Becomes a Clue
Call attention to situations such as:
- Setting the thermostat lower every year to stay comfortable
- AC running constantly without reaching the set point
- Large upstairs/downstairs differences
- House feeling humid despite low temperatures
- Utility costs climbing unexpectedly
Those are signs that the conversation should move beyond:
“What number is on the thermostat?”
Comfort Is the Goal
Air Comfort believes homeowners should understand what their HVAC system is doing rather than being handed arbitrary rules.
If your house only feels comfortable when the thermostat is set unusually low, we can help you determine why.
If Your Home Still Isn't Comfortable, Let's Find Out Why
Air Comfort Heating & Air Conditioning helps homeowners throughout Anoka and surrounding Minnesota communities understand how temperature, humidity, airflow and HVAC performance work together.
If you keep lowering the thermostat but the house still does not feel right, the thermostat may be showing us a symptom rather than the cause.
AC Temperature Questions
Is 72 degrees a good AC setting?
It can be. The right setting varies by household, humidity, home design and personal comfort.
Should I turn my AC off while I am at work?
Many homeowners use a moderate setback rather than completely shutting cooling off during hot weather. Your ideal strategy depends on the home and equipment.
Why am I uncomfortable even though the thermostat says 70?
Humidity, airflow and uneven temperatures can make a home uncomfortable even when the thermostat reading appears low.
