What is the ideal temp for AC in Arizona?
Most people find placing the thermostat at 72-73 degrees is ideal. However, if there's a major difference between your indoor and outside warmth, your AC bills will be higher. These are our recommendations based on the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®. While at home: 78 degrees.
Average temperatures in the city are now 2.5 degrees hotter than they were in the middle of the last century. It isn't just uncomfortable; it's deadly.
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - For the first time this year, Phoenix Sky Harbor recorded a temperature of 100 degrees at 2:12 p.m. The high for the day ended up at 102 degrees. The “century mark” came a little later than normal.
Some ways to avoid heat illness include staying indoors; wearing lightweight clothes in light colors; taking regular breaks; and, naturally, drinking a lot of water. We're sure you've heard that advice before, and you might even try following it.
When setting your thermostat, most homeowners find 72 is a good temperature for air conditioning. However, you may need to adjust that setting based on weather conditions. The bigger the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the higher your energy bill will be.
What's The Best Temperature To Set Your Thermostat: Summer. Typically, our bodies are most comfortable when the air inside our home is 74-76 degrees. So, a safe setting is 75 degrees. However, this is only necessary when you're in your home.
Jacobs said Arizona is not heading toward some uninhabitable wasteland. However, with increasing temperature and a dwindling water supply, life will be unpleasant, more expensive, and less convenient. “There is no doubt the way water is being used today is not the way it will be in 2050,” Jacobs said.
Risks from extreme heat, drought, flood, and fire are all increasing for Phoenix. Maricopa county, home to Phoenix, is one of six counties in Arizona at risk of becoming uninhabitable to humans in the next 20 to 40 years. More than 150 people died in 2016, 2017 and 2018 from the effects of heat waves in Phoenix.
By the year 2100, climate models predict, summer highs are expected to rise on average by as much as 10 degrees in the city, which means daily temperature readings of 114 degrees Fahrenheit, which will almost certainly lead to more heat-related deaths.
Average highs in the middle of summer are 101°-105° in Las Vegas, while average highs in Phoenix are about 104°-106°.
How do I keep my house cool in Phoenix?
- Update your thermostat. ...
- Insulate your home. ...
- Use fans. ...
- Maintain your HVAC system. ...
- Shade your home, condenser unit, and windows. ...
- Use appliances less, and during cooler hours. ...
- Change your light bulbs. ...
- Consider replacing your air conditioning unit.
Higher elevations tend to keep places cooler, but lower elevations mean places stay hot. A lot of parts of Arizona sits at low elevation. Phoenix, for example, sits at 1,000 feet, which is pretty low. These two combined make the heat stay all year round in Arizona.

What they don't tell you about Arizona's temperature extremes. PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) - Pretty much everyone knows the hottest temperature recorded in Phoenix was 122 degrees on June 26, 1990. But the hottest temperature in the state was recorded at Lake Havasu when the thermometer got to 128 degrees on June 29, 1994.
Two of those happened in a three-day stretch when the mercury hit 113 degrees June 10 and June 12. Like in 2020 and 2021, there were no record low temperatures recorded. In total, Phoenix finished with 22 days of 110-degree weather and 113 days of 100-degree weather.
These temperature extremes were measured at Sky Harbor International Airport near downtown Phoenix and go back to 1948. The highest temperature recorded during that time there was 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 Celsius) on June 26, 1990.
It turns out that the best indoor temperature for your home during the summer months is 78 degrees, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. If that temperature falls outside your comfort level, there are several ways to modify how your home feels without causing your energy bill to spike.
68 to 72 degrees is a temperature range that is not too warm or cool, and is sufficient enough to warm up the home just enough so that everyone is comfortable regardless of the type of clothing they have on.
According to the DOE, the ideal home temperature during winter weather is 68 degrees Fahrenheit. In comparison, the ideal air conditioner temperature during the summer months is 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
The ideal AC temperature for sleeping is around 65°F (18.3°C). However, this may differ between individuals, who might find their ideal AC temperature lies between 60 and 67°F (15.6 and 19.4°C).
According to the Department of Energy1, 78° Fahrenheit is the sweet spot for air conditioners to balance energy savings and comfort when people are at home and need cooling.
Why does my house feel cold at 74?
Your house could be cold due to an old air filter, a faulty furnace, improper insulation, or leaky ductwork. The simple fixes, like replacing an air filter, are relatively easy to complete. However, if the heater itself needs repairs, it's best to call in a professional to take a look and determine the problem.
Normal cooling settings for thermostats this time of the year in Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, Tucson and surrounding area are 75 degrees – 80 degrees. (Normal heating settings are 68 degrees- 72 degrees). Why does this matter?
You want to be comfortable this summer without spending a lot of money on air conditioning, right? While you ultimately must decide what temperature you feel comfortable at, the US Department of Energy and Energy Star suggest that the best AC temperature is 78°F for summer days.
- Schedule an AC tune-up.
- Change your AC's air filter regularly.
- Open all your air vents.
- Close your blinds and drapes during the day.
- Make sure the outside unit is clear of debris.
- Use ceiling fans.
- Set a cooling schedule.
For optimal cooling and energy efficiency, the report says you should set the temperature to at least 82 degrees while you're sleeping, at least 78 degrees while you're awake and inside the house, and at least 85 degrees when you're not at home.