# For those who run central a/c around the clock, where do you set temp when you're at home? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 30, 2019, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781 "2019-05-30T16:00:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/41 "2019-05-31T18:25:04Z")
75 is our standard evenings-and-weekends temp during the a/c part of the year. I’d have it at 77 (which is where I have it when I’m teleworking), but my wife can’t handle that. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/42 "2019-05-31T18:33:46Z")
> [@begbert2](#): > > Looks like I’m the first 68. (Or lower, but I’m personally set at 68). > > What can I say; I like it cool… Hey, you make we who keep it at 70F look good! ---
**Author:** ![Buck\_Godot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buck_godot/32/6573_2.png) [@Buck\_Godot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buck_Godot)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/43 "2019-05-31T19:15:42Z")
74 Left to myself I would probably set it a bit higher to save money but my wife gets severely ill if the temperature goes to high. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/44 "2019-05-31T19:34:48Z")
The Nest is set to turn on the heat at 68, and the A/C at 80. I’m usually in the basement where it’s approximately 70 or under year-round. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/45 "2019-05-31T19:43:39Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > The Nest is set to turn on the heat at 68, and the A/C at 80. I’m usually in the basement where it’s approximately 70 or under year-round. What is the point of having your A/C set at 80 degrees? I mean, where do you live where 80 degrees, day/night after day/night, is noticeably cooler than outside? Do you live in Death Valley? Australia? Why not just use fans? I use A/C because my home is my respite from the outside world. I use A/C to attain a level of _comfort_ while I’m at home. 80 degrees may be ok while im outside but i need respite from that outside world. And 80 degrees ain’t it. ETA: I don’t mean to single you out with these questions, rather i just used your post in order to ask all the posters in this thread with similar A/C habits. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/46 "2019-05-31T19:55:35Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > What is the point of having your A/C set at 80 degrees? I mean, where do you live where 80 degrees, day/night after day/night, is noticeably cooler than outside? Do you live in Death Valley? Australia? Why not just use fans? Because it’s summer and it routinely hits the high 90s here? This is normal summer weather for most people. It’s 87 in _Minneapolis_ right now. Where the hell are you?! . ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/47 "2019-05-31T20:02:03Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Because it’s summer and it routinely hits the high 90s here? > > This is normal summer weather for most people. It’s 87 in _Minneapolis_ right now. Where the hell are you?! > > . Summers are the same here in MI. Im just saying, it seems like you’d get an equal, if not greater, cooling effect from the use of fans alone than using a central A/C system set at 80 (80 even at night while sleeping?). ---
**Author:** ![Slash1972](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slash1972/32/6461_2.png) [@Slash1972](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slash1972)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/48 "2019-05-31T20:10:09Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Let’s see, since “around the clock” generally means “all day” or “24 hours”, I’m gonna say “all day” or “24 hours”. I hope this makes my post clearer. 🙂 Not particularly 🙂 So, 23 hours and 59 minutes in 90 degree weather would NOT be absolute hell, but 24 hours in 78 degree weather would? I understand. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/49 "2019-05-31T20:15:59Z")
You must have made a mistake with those crazy numbers – even 68 is a hot enough water temperature to make tea! Oh, wait, those must be USian temperatures, unlike any others in the world! 😃 OK, I’ve done the conversion. In USian terms, I picked 73 (actually I may accidentally have picked 74, but close enough). In real temperature terms, the thermostat is usually at 23 in the summer, but if it’s extremely hot out, I might crank it down to 22.5 or even 22 (72.5 or 71.6) for awhile. But I don’t vary it based on day or night, or if I’m in or out, I’ll just tweak it sometimes based on how I feel, which is generally based on how hot it is outside. The house has a “smart” thermostat which I have intentionally set to “extremely dumb” mode, so it functions like my fine old “Honeywell round”. Yes, I’m old. But not very, and young at heart. But I hate hot weather. And cold weather. And noisy kids on my lawn. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/50 "2019-05-31T20:26:00Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Not particularly 🙂 > > So, 23 hours and 59 minutes in 90 degree weather would NOT be absolute hell, but 24 hours in 78 degree weather would? > > I understand. Ok, some people obviously need assistance. Here you go: I originally responded to those who stated that they set their central air systems in the upper 70s or even low 80s-during the summer. My response was something to the effect of "Gah, i would be in hell if i had to be in temps like that _around the clock_. By that, i meant having to spend all the time that i spend outdoors in such temperatures (often even higher) and then go home and have to spend _that_ time in similar temperatures as well. All that time, time spent away from home and time spent at home, would constitute “around the clock”. I enjoy summertime weather. I enjoy the hot weather. And what I enjoy equally, if not more, is coming in out of that heat into a blissfully cool house. It would _only_ be hell on earth if I had no respite from the outdoor heat (especially when i sleep). Did i really need to say all this?? Do you think you’re being clever with your lame (what you think are) “gotchas”? 🙂🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/51 "2019-05-31T20:51:00Z")
> [@Slash1972](#): > > Not particularly 🙂 > > So, 23 hours and 59 minutes in 90 degree weather would NOT be absolute hell, but 24 hours in 78 degree weather would? > > I understand. > [@](#): > > =Ambivalid;21672427]Holy fucking shit i would be in absolute hell living in such temperatures around-the-clock. I keep it at 70 _during the day_! Nighttime sees temps no higher than 65 degrees. This ridiculous exchange began with your inability to understand this simple post. You interpreted “i would be in absolute hell living in such temperatures around the clock” strangely as “i would be in absolute hell ever having to experience such temperatures even fleetingly”. This was evidenced by your question, “so you never go outside during the summer?” Work on reading comprehension. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/52 "2019-05-31T21:07:19Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > I’m okay at 72, my wife likes 68. We reached compromise at 68. The secret to a happy marriage. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/53 "2019-05-31T21:35:33Z")
74-75 seems most comfortable in our house. Being in North Idaho we only run it for 4-8 weeks per year. ---
**Author:** ![chizzuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@chizzuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chizzuk)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/54 "2019-05-31T21:49:14Z")
72 around the clock. I live in the DC area so it’s usually on almost 6 months of the year. I live alone in a 1BR and I refuse to be uncomfortable in my own home. ---
**Author:** ![Tzigone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Tzigone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tzigone)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/55 "2019-05-31T21:56:44Z")
I am cold-natured. If I am just sitting around rather than up and active (and mostly I am), then it’s set on 80. That’s what the programmable is set on for mornings and afternoons. It is, however, set to do down to 78 when I go to sleep because I am warmer then. I also keep it 70-72 in winter, only going down to 68 for sleep (I also have a heated mattress pad for winter). ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/56 "2019-05-31T22:20:35Z")
73 when at home, and I exist in my undies unless we have guests. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/57 "2019-05-31T22:30:36Z")
You all are giving Jimmy Carter the sadz. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/58 "2019-05-31T22:46:47Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > You all are giving Jimmy Carter the sadz. Okay, neighbor, where do you keep your thermostat set these days? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/59 "2019-05-31T22:47:39Z")
It’s at 78, as stated above. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2019, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781/60 "2019-05-31T22:49:08Z")
> [@JohnT](#): > > It’s at 78, as stated above. Sorry, I missed that. The sun was in my eyes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-those-who-run-central-a-c-around-the-clock-where-do-you-set-temp-when-youre-at-home/834781.md?page=4)