What Temperature Should You Leave Your AC On When Not Home?

Have you ever found yourself jingling your keys just as you step out the door, only to suddenly remember something crucial—like what temperature to set your AC at when you’re not home? It’s the kind of mental hiccup that can shadow your entire day. Do you opt for something Arctic-like to ensure a blissful return, or do you veer toward the tropical to spare a battery of electrons and some cash?

Table of Contents

Understanding the Role of Your AC When Not Home

Let’s start with the basics, because, much like aging pets or Netflix queues, you’ve probably been ignoring this for too long. Your air conditioning system serves a few important roles, even when you’re not there to bask in its arctic embrace. It regulates temperature, maintains humidity, and even helps circulate fresh air. But what happens when you leave it running in your absence? That’s where things get slightly convoluted.

Why Should You Adjust It?

Now, I get it. You might be thinking, “Why should I bother adjusting the temperature when I’m not home?” The truth lies in those persistent whispers of eco-consciousness and fiscal responsibility. Leaving the AC blasting away at full throttle might be comforting, but it’s akin to lighting up a bonfire during summer. A wasteful indulgence. Adjusting the thermostat can lead to significant energy savings, reduce wear and tear on your system, and help the environment.

Optimal Temperature Settings When You’re Away

This is the ultimate sticking point, isn’t it? Let’s break it down like a bad dance move to help you understand.

Recommended Temperatures

The U.S. Department of Energy, in its infinite wisdom—or because they’re the Uncle Scrooge of government agencies—recommends setting your thermostat to 85°F (29°C) when you’re away in the summer. For winter, something like 60°F (15°C) should suffice.

Season	Temperature Setting (When Away)
Summer	85°F (29°C)
Winter	60°F (15°C)

Now, before you toss your hat in protest, think about the context. This is to ensure your home stays at a reasonably safe temperature, conserving energy while preventing extremes that could harm your belongings or any, say, overly dramatic houseplants.

Factors to Consider

However, these numbers aren’t etched in stone. Various factors can nudge these figures a bit higher or lower. For instance:

Pets at Home: Depriving Fido or Whiskers of a comfortable environment is a no-go. Pets generally do well in temperatures between 78°F and 80°F in summer, and between 68°F and 72°F in winter.
Electronics and Plants: Certain plants and electronics require more specific conditions. You don’t want to come home to a cooked fern or a melted PS5, after all.
Humidity Levels: Humidity is the unseen stalker in this equation. Keeping the AC too high might let humidity creep in, swaddling your home in a damp blanket. Balancing the right temperature can help mitigate that.

Technological Aids

Before your eyes glaze over in despair, let’s bring in some technology to save the day. Smart thermostats are the unsung heroes of modern HVAC systems. They allow greater control and flexibility with temperature settings, leading to efficiency without the continuous back-and-forth adjustments.

Benefits of Smart Thermostats

Remote Access: Adjust the temperature from your phone, whether you’re at the office or halfway around the world on that “Eat, Pray, Love” adventure.
Learning Preferences: These savvy devices learn your routines. So, if you consistently leave at 8 a.m., the thermostat will adjust itself accordingly.
Energy Reports: Imagine receiving a friendly note from your thermostat telling you how wonderfully energy-efficient you were this week. It’s like getting graded but in a way that suggests improvement rather than reprimand.

Trusted Brands to Consider

If you’re wading into the smart thermostat pool, a couple of trustworthy brands include Nest, Ecobee, and Honeywell. Each has its quirks and perks, but they’re generally competent co-pilots in the temperature-regulation journey.

The Caveat to All These Pragmatic Decisions

Now’s the moment to address the unexpected—aspects no chart or primer quite covers. There’s an element of personalization to how you manage your home’s climate. Maybe you’re the type who needs an abode bordering on meat-locker cold at all times, or perhaps you’re more tolerant of a sweat-lodge experience. Balance rules supreme here.

Scenarios to Ponder

Short Absences: Think grocery runs or a night out. Modifying the thermostat may not be necessary, or you might just tweak it a degree or two.
Extended Trips: Now we’re talking the hike through the Appalachian Trail. Clearly, in this case, set it to that recommended 85°F (29°C).

Why KadeCo Inc. Is Your Go-To for HVAC Needs

If you’re fretting over these settings or find yourself in a tangle of doubts, take a moment to consider professional help. KadeCo Inc., nestled right in Pensacola, FL, is an oasis of expertise and integrity in a desert of dubious HVAC providers. Founded by Kade Youmans in 1997, post his 20-year industry tenure, KadeCo isn’t your typical HVAC outfit.

The KadeCo Difference

Historical Integrity: The foundation of KadeCo lays in Kade’s determination to prioritize customer needs over profit margins. This passionate drive led to the formation of a business that treats customers with nothing but respect and transparency.
Quality and Honesty: No upselling, no fixing what isn’t broken. It’s a business model that nods back to simpler times, where every penny mattered, and trust was more valuable than gold.
Free Quotes: You read that right. Free quotes mean you get a professional opinion without the fear of an unexpected bill lurking in the shadows.

How They Can Help

From routine maintenance to complex troubleshooting, KadeCo’s motivated technicians are equipped to handle it all. If they can’t do it, they won’t leave you in limbo; they’ll recommend someone trusted who can.

For a consultation or quote, you can find them at:

KadeCo Inc
209 Brandywine Rd
Pensacola, FL 32507
(850) 516-7552

Final Thoughts on Adjusting Your AC

So, let’s circle back: what temperature should you leave your AC on when not home? There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but armed with this newfound wisdom, you’re well-prepared to make a more informed decision. Remember, your home’s comfort doesn’t have to come at the expense of your energy bill or the environment.

By striking that elusive balance, leveraging technology, and when in need, calling the professionals at KadeCo Inc., you can ensure both a welcoming return and peace of mind.