Most air conditioning systems can only handle a 20-degree difference between the outside and inside air temperatures.
The logic behind this rule has to do with how the AC unit functions. When the system starts cooling space, it removes the heat but also dehumidifies the air. But when the system has to cool your home by over 20 degrees, its capacity to do both diminishes.
What Is The 20 Degree Rule? You should try not to have your AC temperature set for 20 degrees below what the temperature is outside. For example, if it's 91 degrees outside, you shouldn't have your thermostat set below 71.
Air Conditioners Lower Indoor Temperature by 20°F Max
The standard residential air conditioner can lower the indoor temperature of a home by a maximum of 20°F. If the outdoor temperature is 90°F, the coolest the AC can make the inside of the house is 70°F.
According to the Department of Energy1, 78° Fahrenheit is the sweet spot for air conditioners to balance energy savings and comfort when people are at home and need cooling.
As a general rule of thumb, HVAC manufacturers usually recommend that users don't operate units for prolonged periods of time if the temperature is below 16-18 degrees Celsius.
The Normal human body temperature is 36-37 degree celsius. Hence, to take a temperature closer to 24 degrees is considered to be healthier for individuals in tropical regions like India.
Most air conditioning units are designed to go as low as 17°C, but do note that air conditioners are designed to achieve an inside temperature that is up to 11°C lower than the outside temperature.
As per the 18-page guideline, the temperature of the home-run AC should be between 24-30 degrees Celcius and the humidity should be between 40-70 per cent.
Temperatures Above 100 Degrees Fahrenheit
Most air conditioning systems are designed to function with outside temperatures of 100 degrees or less. When temperatures outside become higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, the air conditioning system can consume more energy and begin to malfunction or fail.
The ideal temperature to set your air conditioner cooling cycle to in summer is between 24 and 25 degrees (23 is fine if you want it that bit cooler). In winter we recommend setting the aircon heating cycle at 20 or 21 degrees. Some homeowners choose to set their systems at 24 degrees all year round.
Answer: It is recommended that you set the temperature at about 25°C or higher. For every degree raised, you can save about $13 a year. Refer to this link for more energy saving tips.
During summer, the ideal temperature to set your AC is 22 – 24 degrees. While during winter, it's more ideal to set it on 20 – 22 degrees. Here's why. An air conditioner that has a heating capability is using a reverse cycle.
First, check for these common problems: Dirty air filter—A dirty filter restricts airflow, not letting your home get enough cool air. Closed vents—Closed vents in rooms can cause them to be hotter than other rooms. Open windows—Your conditioned air can flow out of open windows, leaving uneven temperatures in your home.
If your central AC is not blowing cold air, the refrigerant may be the problem. The unit could be running low and need additional refrigerant added. The most likely cause of this is a leak. A leak not only keeps the AC unit from cooling properly, but also it can cause other issues within the home.
The average room temperature is typically around 20°C. This is a good ambient temperature, but you may wish to heat rooms to different temperatures to suit your individual needs.
On average, the best air conditioner temperature setting for summer in Australia is around 23℃ – 24℃ for comfort or 25℃ – 27℃ for maximum energy savings. In winter, reverse cycle heating should be set to around 18℃ – 20℃.
According to most professionals, the ideal temp for ac is between 22 and 26 degrees Celsius. Most people find this is the ideal air conditioner temperature range. 25.5 degrees Celsius is a low enough temperature for you to function comfortably but also high enough so your AC doesn't run all the time.
Speaking with indianexpress.com, Dr Rajat Agarwal, Additional Director, Critical Care Medicine, Fortis Escorts Heart Institute said, “It is advisable to maintain the AC temperature at 24-25 degrees Celsius as it is considered most optimum for healthy bodily functions.”
To ensure your body can achieve the temperature it needs for restful sleep, ensure your room temperature for sleeping is between 16 °C to 18 °C for a bedroom. For those over 65, you'll want to stick to 18°C and not let it drop below.
Saving energy: Because most current air conditioners are energy efficient, setting it to 25 degrees saves money because it consumes less electricity. Environmental Protection: If you adjust the air conditioner's temperature to 25º, the equipment will emit less CO2 emissions, benefiting the environment.
How cold is too cold? Below 13° - If your home is this cold, it may increase your blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease. 14-15° - If your home is this cold, you may be diminishing your resistance to respiratory diseases. 18° - This is the recommended night time bedroom temperature.
It is a common misconception borne by many to reduce the temperature to 18 degrees to quickly cool down the room. But the fact remains that the time taken to reduce a room's temperature to a comfortable 27 degree Celsius remains the same whether you set the AC temperature at 18 or 27 degree Celsius.
Your AC doesn't work that way
Because your AC is only designed to cool your home to about 15 to 20 degrees less than the outside temperature. So unless it's only 85 degrees outside to begin with, you will never get that cool 65 degrees you want. Your AC is simply not designed to work that way.
For the AC to cool the room better, turn off the lights and also exhaust the fan if there's any. Turning off lights reduces the heat level in the room and lets the AC cool better. Turning off exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom also helps with better cooling.