Air Conditioner Madness (What do you set yours at?)

[Maxperson]

We recently got new air conditioning and heating units for our house (our old units were 30+ years old; we're in the US south where we will have at least a couple days each summer over 100 F/37.8 C).

When I mentioned what temperature we keep our house at in the summer (77 F = 25 C) a bunch of friends here were shocked we kept it that high, even if it's a degree F lower than what the US Department of Energy recommends. Being from the upper-midwest in the US, I was surprised that so many folks in the US south (where we are now) had it set so low compared to what I was used to (I would have thought they would be more heat tolerant).

So, what do you keep your AC set at when you're at home and awake on hot days? In the comments, I'm particularly interested in what region of the world you're from and the region you live in now.

I grew up in Michigan and live in sunny Southern California now. We keep our air conditioner at 72-73 usually.

 

[DammitVictor]

I suppose I should mention... beyond the fact that everyone starts getting a mite tetchy when they're uncomfortably warm, being freezing-ass cold all the time is actually a medically validated therapy for controlling my anxiety, mood swings, and violent outbursts. In addition to keeping my office as close to 60° F as possible, I keep ice packs in my office fridge to literally cool off in a hurry... in order to metaphorically cool off in a hurry.

If your sinus cavities feel cold and wet, your brain thinks you're over your head in cold water and prioritizes problem solving skills over fight or flight reactions.

 

[Zardnaar]

Top of the morning to ya.



22 inside, outside was around 0. Currently 10 in the sun.

 

[Bedrockgames]

It gets very muggy here in the summer and we just have window ACs (and just one for several rooms) so I crank it to 67). Can't stand humidity and heat

 

[payn]

The humidity is the worst.

 

[Scutisorex]

68F

 

[doctorbadwolf]

We recently got new air conditioning and heating units for our house (our old units were 30+ years old; we're in the US south where we will have at least a couple days each summer over 100 F/37.8 C).

When I mentioned what temperature we keep our house at in the summer (77 F = 25 C) a bunch of friends here were shocked we kept it that high, even if it's a degree F lower than what the US Department of Energy recommends. Being from the upper-midwest in the US, I was surprised that so many folks in the US south (where we are now) had it set so low compared to what I was used to (I would have thought they would be more heat tolerant).

So, what do you keep your AC set at when you're at home and awake on hot days? In the comments, I'm particularly interested in what region of the world you're from and the region you live in now.

I’m from the Southern Central Valley in California (Bakersfield, specifically). It is over 100 for about 90 days a year, here, and over 110 for anywhere from a few days to over a dozen.

I keep the ACs between 74 and 76, but that’s because they’re small mobile/wall units, not central air. The place stays around 76-78 in the hottest part of the day, and we keep our room 75 or so at night (door closed using our small window unit). But we have enough shade that it doesn’t take that much power to do so.

 

[Zardnaar]

I remember US tv shows in the 90's. Didn't really know what air conditioning was except maybe in a shop or government building.

Our ones were called "windows" with two settings. Open or closed.

Even now everyone has heat pumps I'm told they're different as they can heat and cool.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Your setting seem high to me, but I'm sure it's still a respite from the heat. Especially since it will dehumidify the air as well.

We keep ours at 72° F. I'd keep it a couple degrees cooler, but my spouse and 7yo complain about it being cold already.

I'm in New England, USA, for reference.

I had a roommate for a while who paid the power bill on his own because he insisted on keeping the house at 65 year round. I loved it. My wife gets cold at 75, so…I guess I’ll never get to live that life!

 

[The Green Hermit]

I had a roommate for a while who paid the power bill on his own because he insisted on keeping the house at 65 year round. I loved it. My wife gets cold at 75, so…I guess I’ll never get to live that life!

75 is my threshold, too.

 

[Ixal]

I am always amazed by the need for an AC in the US, even when there are only warm temperatures (86F)

 

[payn]

Sure 86 doesn't seem extreme, but many places in the U.S. experience temps hot enough to kill you without AC during the summer.

 

[Zaukrie]

Sure 86 doesn't seem extreme, but many places in the U.S. experience temps hot enough to kill you without AC during the summer.

This last heat wave did that....A LOT of people dead. Not good.

I'm curious....if you set your AC to 68 or 70 .... what do you set your heat to in the winter? (not the poster I'm responding to, but anyone)

 

[payn]

This last heat wave did that....A LOT of people dead. Not good.

I'm curious....if you set your AC to 68 or 70 .... what do you set your heat to in the winter? (not the poster I'm responding to, but anyone)

AC to 74F and Heating to 68F. Those are just my settings. I have found those seem to be a little high/low for average taste.

I can handle heat pretty well, its the humidity I need a break from. So far, I only had my AC on for a single week when we got pounded at 100 during the day and 85-90 at night. Its been much more comfortable since, but still hot for most folks.

 

[The Green Hermit]

I am always amazed by the need for an AC in the US, even when there are only warm temperatures (86F)

And that is why most of Western Washington does not have air conditioning -- and why heat waves of over a hundred for several days running can be deadly.

 

[The Green Hermit]

This last heat wave did that....A LOT of people dead. Not good.

I'm curious....if you set your AC to 68 or 70 .... what do you set your heat to in the winter? (not the poster I'm responding to, but anyone)

I set my heat to about 75 in the winter. I do not have AC and would only want it if the heat wave we just survived becomes a regular occurence.

 

[Cadence]

This last heat wave did that....A LOT of people dead. Not good.

I'm curious....if you set your AC to 68 or 70 .... what do you set your heat to in the winter? (not the poster I'm responding to, but anyone)

We set our heat at about 68 in the winter (we set our ac at about 77 or so in the summer).

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I am always amazed by the need for an AC in the US, even when there are only warm temperatures (86F)

Are you saying that the temp in the US doesn’t get above 86? Because…literally only 4 months of the year are under 86f where I live, at best. We sometimes get days nearly that warm in January. It’s not common, but it happens a few times every 5 years or so, from memory. Like I said upthread, 90+ days per year where the high is over 100, where it is still over 90 when I go to bed, still over 80 when I get up before the sun rises.

This last heat wave did that....A LOT of people dead. Not good.

I'm curious....if you set your AC to 68 or 70 .... what do you set your heat to in the winter? (not the poster I'm responding to, but anyone)

I don’t use the heater most of winter. Nights do get below freezing here in January, though, and I’ll kick the wall heater on low-medium for a few hours and then turn it off.

 

[Ixal]

Are you saying that the temp in the US doesn’t get above 86? Because…literally only 4 months of the year are under 86f where I live, at best. We sometimes get days nearly that warm in January. It’s not common, but it happens a few times every 5 years or so, from memory. Like I said upthread, 90+ days per year where the high is over 100, where it is still over 90 when I go to bed, still over 80 when I get up before the sun rises.

I am saying that 86 is not really hot. Even 90 is imo still bearable inside homes for longer periods of time. Once you hit 100 for more than a few days I concede that AC might be a very good idea.
But in the US AC seems to be on nearly all the time even for lower temperatures. The only country I have seen with a similar/higher AC usage was the U.A.E
Even in southern Italy and Greece there is not that much AC use as in the US.

 

[Zardnaar]

I am saying that 86 is not really hot. Even 90 is imo still bearable inside homes for longer periods of time. Once you hit 100 I concede that AC might be a very good idea.
But in the US AC seems to be on nearly all the time even for lower temperatures. The only country I have seen with a similar/higher AC usage was the U.A.E
Even in southern Italy and Greece there is not that much AC use as in the US.

Cheap energy has a lot to do with it as well.

When I was a kid here in the 80's an open fire was used sometimes for heating and woodburners aren't uncommon. You could cook marshmallows in your lounge.

I don't know anyone with actual AC most use heat pumps. Father in law uses a woodburners.

Utilities are more expensive I suppose. Ok. Using a blanket or hot water bottle is still a thing.

USA is so cheap comparatively.