Not too hot, not too cold, but just right
Summertime weather brings cookouts, pool parties, and the dreaded question of what temperature to set your thermostat. Of course, you want to stay comfortable when you’re inside on a hot day, but what thermostat setting is comfortable for you? Do you like to make it feel like Antarctica, or do you prefer to keep it warmer to improve your home’s energy efficiency?
Most importantly: How does your ideal indoor temperature compare with others’ opinions on the average room temperature in the summer?
While the ideal temperature for your thermostat in the summer is 78 degrees Fahrenheit, 45% of survey participants prefer it to be between 70 and 73 degrees. Not surprisingly, only 14% of participants think the ideal temperature is a little warmer, between 74 and 78 degrees.
Even though it might be a good way to reduce energy consumption, only 4% of survey takers want to keep their thermostats at 78 degrees or above. On the other end of the spectrum, a whopping 37% of survey participants like to have their house on the colder side at below 70 degrees.
So what does this mean when it comes to an average room temperature? Like in the fairy tale with the three bears, most people like their thermostats to be just right—not too hot or cold. Many survey takers like their home to be nice and chilly in the summer, a few people prefer to set the thermostat to toasty warm, but most like it right in the middle.
If you share your living space with a partner, there might be turmoil when it comes to navigating the thermostat settings. When surveyed, ideal indoor temperatures are the fourth most common argument in households, behind disagreements regarding things like home improvement budgeting and unexpected repair costs. In fact, almost 57% of survey participants reported arguing with their partner about the perfect indoor temperature.
If you find yourself in the middle of a thermostat war, chances are, you’re not alone in this disagreement! Before freezing out your partner or making your home feel like an indoor sauna, come to a mutual decision on how to handle your ideal indoor temperature settings. For example, you can keep a window open at night to keep the room cool but not too cold. Or, install a ceiling fan to help you feel comfortable, even if the temperature inside is on the warmer side.
If you like it hot and they like it cold, don’t fret. You can both take steps to compromise on the thermostat struggle. You can install a smart thermostat to control your home's temperature from your phone remotely. These thermostats typically cost between $130 and $500 to buy and $25 to $50 to install yourself and are a great way to program your thermostat to different temperatures throughout the day. Try keeping your home on the warmer side when you’re not there, and use your smart thermostat app to adjust the temperature to a cooler setting upon your arrival. Or, program it so that it’s warmer during the day and cooler at night so you both win.
Maybe you set your thermostat to your ideal temperature, but it still doesn’t feel right. After all, air conditioning should make you feel comfortable, not warmer than you already are. Before blaming your partner for touching the thermostat—and we’ve all been there—investigate your AC and thermostat settings first. If your AC is blowing warm air, your home won’t be as cool as it should be, and that might make you boil with frustration.
Regardless of how you feel about your perfect indoor temperature during the summer—whether you like it toast and warm or as cold as ice—remember to service your AC at least once per season to keep it running the way you want.
