I'm currently living in Florida where it's typically 80°F and above. We usually keep our central AC at 76°F during the day and lower it to 73°F at night. Some folks in the house feel that 76°F is a bit too warm, but we've been sticking to that for energy conservation reasons. I'm wondering if there are any real benefits to our current temperature cycle versus just setting it to around 73°F or 74°F permanently.
3 Answers
It really depends on what you're comfortable with. I used to keep my thermostat at 72°F during the day and 68°F at night when I lived in a different state, but in Florida, I've adjusted to around 78°F. The heat is just different! Just remember that energy rates might be cheaper at night, so if you run it lower then, you might save a bit, but constantly keeping it cooler could still hit your wallet hard.
As an HVAC engineer, I can tell you that the closer your thermostat is to the outside temperature, the more cost-effective your system will be. If you're not home, it's actually best to turn off the AC and have it cool down right before you return. Sure, it might work harder to bring the temperature down after being off, but turning it off for a few hours doesn't use much energy at all. Keeping your AC just a few degrees cooler than ambient will save you more compared to setting it much lower constantly since the last few degrees ramp up your electric bill significantly.
Honestly, if you want to avoid a sky-high electric bill, keeping it at 73°F all the time might not be the best move. I live in Florida too, and the cost of constant cooling adds up fast. It’s tough when you need comfort, but you also don’t want to break the bank! If you're always home, maybe find a middle ground that keeps everyone comfy without overworking the AC.