Best air-conditioning temperature

One of the most common questions we are asked is surprisingly simple:

What temperature should I set my air conditioning to?

The answer depends on the room, the weather, how the space is being used and your own comfort, but in most homes and workplaces there is no need to set the system extremely low.

In fact, choosing a sensible temperature can help your air conditioning work more efficiently while still keeping the space comfortable.

What is a good air conditioning temperature?

For most homes and offices, a setting of around 21°C to 24°C will usually provide a comfortable indoor environment.

Some people prefer slightly cooler conditions, while others may be perfectly comfortable at 24°C or above.

The important thing is to avoid assuming that a lower number automatically means faster cooling.

Does setting the air conditioning to 16°C cool the room faster?

Usually, no.

Setting your air conditioning to 16°C does not normally make the system cool the room faster than setting it to 22°C.

Your system will generally work to bring the room down to the selected temperature. Choosing a very low setting simply means it is likely to continue running for longer.

If the room is warm, setting the air conditioning to a sensible comfortable temperature and allowing the system to work is usually the better approach.

What temperature should you use in a bedroom?

For sleeping, many people find a slightly warmer setting more comfortable than they would during the day.

Around 21°C to 24°C can work well, depending on personal preference.

If your system has a sleep mode, this can also be useful. Sleep settings are designed to help maintain comfort overnight while reducing unnecessary operation.

It is also worth directing airflow away from the bed where possible rather than having cold air blowing directly onto you.

What temperature should you use in an office?

For most office environments, a moderate temperature is best.

Extremes can quickly become uncomfortable, especially where multiple people are sharing the same space.

A setting of around 21°C to 23°C is often a sensible starting point.

The most important thing is consistency. Constantly changing the thermostat up and down can make the environment less comfortable and make the system harder to manage.

Should I leave my air conditioning running all day?

That depends on the space and how it is being used.

If a room is occupied for most of the day, maintaining a steady temperature can be more comfortable than repeatedly allowing the room to become hot and then trying to cool it again.

For homes, offices and commercial premises, timers, schedules and Wi-Fi controls can help reduce unnecessary use.

If nobody is using the room for several hours, there is usually little benefit in cooling it to the same level as an occupied space.

What is the best setting during a heatwave?

During very hot weather, it can be tempting to reduce the temperature as far as possible.

A better approach is usually to choose a comfortable setting and give the system time to work.

Closing windows and doors, reducing direct sunlight with blinds or curtains and keeping unnecessary heat sources to a minimum can all help your air conditioning maintain the selected temperature more easily.

What about heating mode?

Many modern air conditioning systems can provide efficient heating as well as cooling.

When using HEAT mode, a setting of around 19°C to 22°C is often sufficient for many homes and workplaces.

As with cooling, setting the temperature much higher does not necessarily make the room heat faster. It simply means the system will continue operating until the higher temperature is reached.

Does a higher or lower temperature affect energy use?

Yes.

The harder your system has to work to maintain a large difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the more energy it may use.

Small adjustments can make a difference.

For example, setting the air conditioning to 23°C rather than 18°C on a very hot day may still make the room feel significantly more comfortable while reducing unnecessary demand on the system.

Other ways to improve comfort and efficiency

Temperature is only one part of how your air conditioning performs.

You can also help by:

• Keeping doors and windows closed while the system is running
• Using blinds or curtains to reduce solar heat gain
• Keeping filters clean
• Avoiding blocked indoor or outdoor units
• Using timers and schedules
• Making use of sleep or eco modes where available
• Having the system regularly maintained

The best temperature is the one that keeps you comfortable

There is no single perfect temperature for every person or every building.

For most homes and workplaces, somewhere between 21°C and 24°C is a good starting point.

The key is to use your system sensibly rather than automatically selecting the lowest possible setting.

Need help getting the best from your air conditioning?

If your system is struggling to reach the temperature you have selected, running continuously or no longer cooling as effectively as it once did, it may be worth having it checked.

Oxford Air Conditioning provides air conditioning servicing, maintenance and repairs across Oxfordshire and the surrounding area.

Get in touch HERE with our team if you need advice or would like to arrange a visit.