Minnesota summers are as hot as our winters are cold, leaving us all thankful that air conditioning exists. But to combat the summer heat, many homeowners wonder, “What temperature should I set my air conditioner in summer?” 

You want to keep your home comfortable and full of cool air. But you also want to save money and avoid blowing up your electricity bill. And it all depends on the temperature you set your A/C unit to. So, what is the best AC temperature for summer?

Keep reading to learn the ideal temperature you should set your air conditioner to in the summer, as well as a few other tips and tricks to make these hot summer months feel like a breeze.

Need a new A/C unit? We’ve got you covered. Shop our selection of central air conditioning systems here.

The Best Air Conditioning Settings for Summer

Summer is short, and you want to make the most of it. With the following tips and tricks, you won’t have to worry about your air conditioning working overtime or burning out. Instead, spend your time focused on what matters: getting outside and enjoying the sun! Below, learn how to feel cooler this season with these recommended air conditioner thermostat settings for summer.

1. Keep Your Air Conditioner in “On” Mode

You may think you want to keep your air conditioner set to “auto,” but you actually want to keep it set to “on.” Auto mode actually lowers energy efficiency in the summer—especially if you have a multi-level home. “On” mode is your best option, because it aids in air flow between floors to ensure your home stays cool without overworking your system. 

2. Raise the Temperature While You’re Away

There’s no point in overworking your air conditioning unit—especially if you’re not even home to reap the benefits. If you’re out of town for a day or two, or headed to the cabin for a week, raise the indoor temperature in your home while you’re gone to save energy (and a little money). Installing a programmable thermostat even allows you to set a schedule for your thermometer, so you can set your thermostat to raise the temperature a few degrees higher while you’re away and come back down in time for your return.

3. Set It and Forget It

It’s summer! You don’t want to worry about your air conditioning unit everyday. After all, those burgers aren’t going to flip themselves, and your kids only get one first jump off the diving board. 

When you’re at home this summer, your best course of action is to set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature and keep it there all season long. Our recommended thermostat setting is no lower than 72°F to avoid freezing up your system or racking up an unnecessarily high energy bill.

The Energy Efficiency of Your AC Unit

Remember, an energy-efficient AC unit can help to cool your home more effectively and keep energy costs down. To maintain the efficiency of your air conditioning system:

• Regularly clean or replace your air filters: A dirty filter can slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you cool, wasting energy.
• Have an annual maintenance check: A professional can check your system to ensure it runs efficiently and troubleshoot any issues that could lead to higher energy use.
• Upgrade your unit: If your air conditioning unit is over ten years old, it may be time to consider replacing it with a newer, more energy-efficient model. Many newer models can use 20-40% less energy for the same amount of cooling.

Help Your Air Conditioner Cool Your Home

Setting your air conditioner at the right temperature will help provide you with the best of both worlds: a cooler home and lower energy costs. But don’t forget, humidity plays a significant role in how cool your home feels. In high humidity, your body can’t evaporate sweat as fast, so you feel hotter. Here are a few steps you can take to help your AC – and your body – do an even better job:

• Use curtains that block out heat, which helps to keep the inside temperature steady
• Refresh or replace old weather stripping and caulking
• Turn ceiling fans on to gently rotate the air and help keep the cool flowing around the house
• Limit the use of appliances that produce heat until the cooler parts of the day
• Use a dehumidifier to lower the humidity in your home and help you feel cooler
• Consider a smart thermostat to control temperature and humidity

Love Your Summer

So, what temperature should you set your air conditioner to in summer? Don’t go below 72 degrees. At 72, both your home and energy bill will be pleasantly cool. 

But before you set the AC temperature and leave the house, don’t forget to use the rest of our recommended summer air conditioning settings above to keep your home cool and at a good comfort level all season long.

Looking for more tips and tricks that will keep your bills low and your home cool? Beat the summer heat with these seven energy-saving air conditioning tips.