Determining the best temperature for your AC depends on a few significant factors, including the temperature outside, your personal preferences (as well as the preferences of anyone you’re sharing the space with), and balancing efficient energy use with optimal comfort.
One of the most important things you need to know when deciding on an ideal temperature for your AC is that setting the thermostat a few degrees lower doesn’t cool any faster; it just makes the system work harder and increases electricity use. In fact, according to Energy Australia, every degree lower you set your air conditioner increases energy consumption by between 5 and 10%. With fuel, groceries, and electricity costs soaring, those degrees matter to most Australian households. It’s also worth knowing that the temperature you set isn’t normally the exact temperature in the area you’re in; the air conditioner reads its temperature from a sensor (or sensors in an advanced zoning system), and that may not necessarily be right next to you.
As experts in Sydney air conditioning, we’ve put together the following article to explain what the ideal setting is for your AC in winter and summer, as well as how to maintain a consistent temperature in the home.
How to choose the ideal air conditioning temp
Being too hot or cold, fluctuating temperatures, or living in spaces that are overly dry or humid can cause interferences with general wellness and productivity.
Determining the perfect AC temperature can make a big difference in how calm you feel at home, how industrious you are at work, and how happy you are with your energy bill.
Ideal temperature for AC in summer
For most Australian homes in summer, experts suggest setting your air conditioner between 24–27 °C. This coincides with government‑linked energy advice, which often recommends a range of 23–26 °C to keep cooling costs down.
This range is generally recommended as the best temp for AC in summer because:
- Most people will be cool enough for comfort
- The temperature difference outside won’t be dramatic or create a shock to the system
- It allows for optimum efficiency while avoiding energy waste
During extreme waves of heat or humidity, you may want to make adjustments, but in general you should stay within the 24–26 °C range.
Ideal temperature for AC in winter
In winter, air conditioning used for heating is generally most efficient around 18–23 °C in Australian homes, depending on local climate and personal comfort. This range is warm enough to keep living areas cosy without driving up running costs or making your system work too hard, and it’s suitable for many inland and coastal climates around the country.
Keeping the temperature too high (above about 23 °C) can spike energy use, so aim for the lower end of that range if you’re focused on efficiency without sacrificing comfort.
Ideal AC temperature for sleeping
For comfort while you sleep, cooler indoor temperatures generally help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep. Many Australian energy and efficiency sources suggest keeping your bedroom around 22 °C at night. Setting the AC a little cooler than your daytime setting can help your body regulate its internal temperature during sleep, but very cold temperatures (like below about 20 °C) are usually unnecessary.
If you have a baby in the home, this should be taken into account as babies are safest sleeping at a slightly lower temperature of 20–22°C.
Ideal AC temperature for office
In office or work environments, a temperature around 24 °C in summer tends to be recommended for both comfort and productivity. This setting helps most people stay alert and comfortable while keeping energy use under control.
In cooler months, a winter office setting near 20 °C is commonly suggested. This will be warm enough to avoid distraction from chill, but not so high that heating costs spiral.
Tips to maintain the ideal temperature at home:
- Don’t blast the AC to cold instantly. Setting a much lower temperature won’t cool the room faster; it just makes the system work harder and costs more.
- Turn the system on before it gets very hot. Starting earlier in the day helps your AC maintain a comfortable temperature more efficiently.
- Close doors and windows. Keeping spaces sealed when the AC is running stops cool air from escaping.
- Use fans to help circulation. Ceiling or portable fans help spread cool air and can make the room feel cooler so you can set the thermostat a little higher.
- Choose the right mode. If your system has a dehumidify or “dry” mode, this can strip humidity from the air and make the temperature feel more comfortable without lowering it too much.
- Maintain your unit regularly. Clean or replace filters and schedule annual servicing so the system runs efficiently.
- Only cool occupied rooms. If you don’t need to cool every space, close off unused rooms and focus the cooling where people are.
- Use timers or smart control. Set your AC to start cooling before you arrive home or adjust settings when you’re away to save energy without sacrificing comfort.
How Proven Air Conditioning can help
Proven Air Conditioning is your local air conditioning specialist. Our experienced, fully licensed team of technicians are experts when it comes to the cooling and heating of your home. Our personal touch and understanding of your requirements make us the top choice for energy efficient air conditioning systems.
Contact us today to get a quote.
