What's the best temperature to set your thermostat at night in summer?

Find some relief from the heat.

Ask three friends what temperature they set their air conditioner to at night, and you’ll likely get three different answers. A hot, sweaty night in the South can only be relieved so much by cooling sheets and strategically placed ceiling and box fans to create a cool cross breeze. The AC is going to have to do the heavy work. Finding the best temperature to set your thermostat to at night without cutting into your vacation fund is a challenge. You don’t have to sacrifice comfort. Here’s how to find the right temperature to set your AC to for comfortable, restful hot summer nights.

What’s The Best Temperature For Summer Nights?

The trick to finding the best temperature for summer sleep is finding a balance between an energy-saving setting and a temperature that nurtures comfortable sleep. To save energy and keep costs low, Energy Star recommends finding a comfortable temperature for cooling that meets your family’s needs and comfort level, then increasing the temperature 7 degrees when not at home and 4 degrees for sleeping for energy-efficient cooling. For instance, if you set your thermostat to 74ºF during the day, increase it to 81ºF when you’re not at home and 78ºF at night. Energy Star says that’s a starting point to save money and energy.

Heat can affect a good night’s sleep, so cooler temperatures are recommended. The National Sleep Foundation recommends a range between 60ºF and 67ºF. A 2023 study suggests older adults sleep better when temperatures are 68ºF to 77ºF. Just keep in mind that adjusting your thermostat will affect your cooling bill.

How To Save On Your Cooling Bill

If your utility bill is giving you nightmares, you may not sleep well even if it is cooler. Setting your thermostat back even one degree can save money on your cooling bill. A programmable thermostat can also help by automatically adjusting the temperature when no one is home.

Tips To Keep Your Home Cooler On Summer Nights

Besides cranking up the AC, there are other ways to keep your bedroom cool at night in summer. Consider cooler bedding and use window treatments to their maximum potential.

Use Your Window Treatments

On summer nights, start with a cool room. Keeping the blinds or curtains closed during the day can drastically lower the room temperature. In the hottest bedrooms of your home, consider blackout curtains. They have a tight weave that keeps the sun from heating the room during the hottest part of the day.

Seal Cracks

Openings around windows and doors can let hot air in and cold air out. Seal up any cracks and gaps around windows and doors with caulk or weather stripping.

Switch Your Bedding

During summer, switch to breathable, lightweight fabrics like cotton, linen, and bamboo that don’t trap heat. Swap out heavy winter comforters for lighter coverlets or quilts. Sleeping in breathable, loose-fitting pajamas can also help.

Run Fans

Turn on ceiling fans and make sure they are switched to warm-weather mode, circulating counterclockwise. Box fans and oscillating fans can also provide a comfortable, cool breeze that makes a room feel cooler than it really is.

Read the original article on Southern Living