WHAT ARE THE IDEAL HVAC TEMPERATURE SETTINGS FOR YOUR HOME

May 15, 2023

Share this article

Your home is your castle, your retreat from the busy world. You don’t want to sweat in your home in summer and shiver in winter. At the same time, you want to reduce your home’s energy use. Finding a balance between comfort and affordable electric bills is not always easy, but there are ways you can find the best HVAC temperatures for various situations.

Cold Weather

You might be tempted to turn the temperature on your HVAC system to very high settings when the weather outside is cold. However, doing so can be costly and inefficient. The hotter the interior of your home is, the quicker thermal energy will transfer to the exterior. To achieve a slow rate of thermal energy loss, you have to set your HVAC to a low but comfortable temperature.



You can find balance by keeping your HVAC on temperatures around 68 degrees during the colder months. These temperatures are low enough to prevent rapid heat loss but warm enough to keep you and your family comfortable. Instead of cranking up the heat, wear sweaters and other warm clothing to keep you comfortable. At night, you can set the temperature even lower while everyone is snuggled in their beds.

Hot Weather

You want to save money on your cooling bills during the summer, yet you still want your home to be comfortable. The lower you set your AC, the less efficient it will be. That’s because when the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures is high, you lose more chilled air through walls and windows.


Generally, the best indoor temperature for saving energy is around 78 degrees during the warmer months. These temperatures are pleasant but not overly chilled. If you have a smart thermostat, you can program it to be warmer when everyone is asleep. Temperatures between 80 and 82 at night usually allow you to sleep comfortably while saving energy.

High Humidity

esides controlling the temperature, your HVAC system also controls indoor humidity. You want indoor relative humidity levels to be between 30 and 50%. This range is ideal for your household member’s health and comfort.

When you heat the air, it actually lowers the relative humidity. Therefore, during the wintertime, indoor humidity can get lower than ideal. When you set your HVAC to excessively warm temperatures in winter, the overly dry air can negatively affect your health. That includes nosebleeds, headaches, and aggravated respiratory issues. If you need to keep the temperature above 68 degrees, you might want to add a whole-home humidifier to your HVAC system.

Summers in Pennsylvania can get very humid. High humidity makes you feel hotter than what the thermometer reads. Luckily, running an air conditioner removes humidity in the air. When humid air passes over the evaporator coils, the moisture is pulled from the air and collects in a drip tray. However, this makes it trickier to find an ideal temperature. Keeping your AC higher to reduce energy use can make the humidity level too high. To counter this, you might want to install a dehumidifier in your HVAC system, to stay comfortable while minimizing energy use

Temperatures for an Empty House

If you and your loved ones leave your house vacant during the day because of school and work, save energy by adjusting the temperature. Since no one will be at home, you don’t have to consider settings that will keep individuals comfortable. You can set the temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees when it’s cold outside. For summer, set the temperature between 80 and 85 degrees when everyone is away. With a programmable thermostat, your HVAC can automatically bring the temperature back to comfortable levels before everyone returns.

Professional Services

While setting temperatures for your HVAC system, you may notice that it is experiencing issues. If so, seek the assistance of AAA Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning in Huntingdon Valley, PA. We offer several HVAC-related services, including repair, maintenance, and installation. We also provide indoor air quality services, including air purifiers, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers. Our team is made up of highly skilled and knowledgeable technicians. They will be able to address your concerns in a prompt and stress-free manner.


Contact us as soon as possible to learn more about our HVAC services.




Recent Posts

A couple consults with a service technician near an air conditioning unit outside.
October 6, 2025
Winters in Huntingdon Valley, PA often bring below-freezing temperatures, crisp winds, and moderate snow. When the mercury plummets, having a functional furnace is important. Your heating system keeps your pipes from freezing and protects your household from hypothermia, frostnip, and other cold-related illnesses. Fortunately, you can prevent dangerous mid-winter breakdowns with fall furnace maintenance. Read on to find out how.
Two men examining a furnace in a utility closet. One gestures, explaining the unit.
September 2, 2025
Before the cold winter season sets in, it’s vital to properly prepare your home for seasonal changes. While pulling out your snow shovels and adding more blankets to your couch are helpful, one thing you never want to forget to prep is your heating system. Below, we’ll discuss the key steps every homeowner must take to have a well-functioning, efficient furnace by the time winter blows in.
August 6, 2025
UV lighting technology has a surprising number of applications in HVAC systems. You can install UV lights in ventilation, heating, and air conditioning systems, among others. A special variant known as UV-C light has the handy effect of neutralizing pathogens that linger throughout conventional HVAC setups. At AAA Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning, we specialize in UV light HVAC installations for homeowners and businesses in Huntingdon Valley, PA. Read on to learn about all the surprising benefits that emerge when you incorporate UV lighting into your HVAC system.
July 2, 2025
You might think changing the air filter on the HVAC is only important for air quality. But the truth is, the filter impacts the system’s energy efficiency and overall performance in several ways. Forgetting to change the filter every so often will do much more than increase dust buildup and allergy flare-ups. Let’s break down how clean filters boost your HVAC system’s performance and help it last longer.
June 16, 2025
Air conditioning is the biggest expense for many homeowners during the summer months. The fact that air conditioning can be so costly means you should always take some steps to ensure your AC continues working efficiently and to try and limit the amount of work it has to do.
May 3, 2025
The most significant early sign of spring in Huntingdon Valley, PA, is the rise in temperature. As the days get warmer, you want to stay comfortable in your home. That is when your attention will turn to your home’s air conditioning. It has probably been several months since you last turned on the AC. If you have lingering concerns with your system from the last time you turned it on, now is the time to replace your AC before summer hits and those rising temperatures become a real problem. The following are some important reasons you need to consider replacing your air conditioner before summer hits.
April 2, 2025
Your HVAC system is vital for keeping your family comfortable throughout the year. HVAC systems have many components and require regular maintenance to keep them working efficiently. Although it costs money to schedule annual HVAC maintenance, it can save you long-term. AAA Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning in Huntingdon Valley, PA wants you to understand the benefits of seeking routine HVAC maintenance and how it can save you money in the long-term.
March 1, 2025
The weather in Huntingdon Valley, PA tends to experience some pretty high temperatures in the summer. Having a properly functioning cooling system is key to staying comfortable and keeping your cooling costs affordable. There are several things you can do in the spring to ensure the AC performs optimally throughout the whole summer.
February 3, 2025
The winter season can be tough. Colder temperatures and snow can be challenging enough, but closed indoor conditions can make it difficult to breathe and trigger allergic reactions. Luckily, there are steps you can take to improve your indoor air quality this winter.
January 2, 2025
Pennsylvania’s weather is temperamental, and since the state has quite an elevation difference, winters can be brutal. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your HVAC system can handle the cold winter’s demands. Without proper preparations for the winter, energy costs can be higher, especially if a part of your HVAC system malfunctions.
Show More