Is your home too hot? Too cold? Is everyone disagreeing over the temperature and fighting for control of the thermostat?

When the hot summer days hit, people are divided into the camp of complaining about the cold or complaining about the heat. Being sweaty is uncomfortable, but so is having to be bundled up inside on a hot July day.

Fortunately, there is an ideal temperature for your thermostat in the summer, which can keep everyone cool without skyrocketing your energy bills.

Yes, the Best Temperature Setting is 78°

The experts have come together and decided that in winter, the ideal thermostat setting is 68°F. Similarly, 78°F is the ideal setting for the hot summer months.

Of course, your whole household may not agree on one temperature. Over time, however, you can get everyone adjusted. If you increase the thermostat by one or two degrees each day until 78°F is comfortable, it will become the ideal for every family member.

According to Direct Energy, 78°F is the “sweet spot” for keeping everyone cool while optimizing your energy bill. While everyone is sleeping, you can raise the temperature a few degrees to save even more. Our body temperature tends to drop as we sleep, so we can tolerate higher temperatures.

You could also turn the thermostat up when the house is unoccupied to save on the electric bill during work hours and give your air conditioner a break. But if you have pets in your home, keep in mind that they can’t handle temperatures above 82-85°F.

How to Regulate Your Own Body Temperature

Though 78°F may be the best temperature for your energy bills, it’s not going to be comfortable for some people at first. The location of your home, how much direct sunlight it gets, and how well insulated it is are all factors that impact your overall comfort.

If you or your family members feel that 78°F is too hot, here are some tips to stay cool:

• Use ceiling fans to circulate air in the room.
• Avoid using the oven during the hottest part of the day.
• Take a cool shower before bed.

If these tips don’t work, try lowering the temperature by one degree each day until you find your ideal temperature. Over time, you may find that everyone can adjust to slightly higher temperatures.

Keep Hydrated

Hydration is important for staying cool in areas that are drier. Your body adapts to heat by making you feel thirsty, but that’s not the only sign you need water. Track your fluid intake throughout the day and ensure you’re getting enough hydration to regulate your body temperature properly.

Dress for Summer

When it heats up, you may reach for the shorts and tank tops, but having more exposed skin can actually make you feel warmer. The ideal clothing in the heat is lightweight, breathable, loose-fitting clothing that allows your body to cool itself effectively, such as loose linen pants and natural fiber tops. This not only keeps you cool but also protects you from the damaging effects of the sun.

Babies Need to be Kept Cooler

Babies require lower temperatures than adults. An overheated room can increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It’s good to leave a fan in the bedroom for your baby to decrease the risk.

Ideally, a baby should have temperatures no lower than 65°F and no higher than 74°F. They can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adults, and they don’t have the fat reserves to keep them warm when it gets too cold.

Worse yet, wrapping a baby in bedding or head coverings can cause thermal stress. You won’t know if your baby is overheated, and they have no way of cooling themselves. Keep the fabrics light and breathable in the summer months.

Regulate Home Temperatures with a Smart or Programmable Thermostat

Raising the temperature in your home can create excellent energy savings, but it can be difficult to remember to adjust the temperature when you’re out for the day or the weather changes. A smart or programmable thermostat can tackle that task for you, however, ensuring that your home is always comfortable without sacrificing cost savings.

Programmable thermostats allow you to set different temperatures according to factors like the time of day, what time you are home, what time you’re away, and more; you don’t have to do any of the work.

You can set your air conditioner to cool down your home a half hour before you arrive, ensuring that you’re comfortable when you get inside. Smart thermostats also allow you to control the temperature using your phone or tablet, and it can monitor your schedule and adjust the temperature accordingly.

Plenty of programmable thermostats are available, so you just have to choose the one that best serves your needs and budget.

If you’re struggling with your home’s heating and cooling needs, schedule an appointment with Proskill Services!