While HVAC systems cover several specific areas related to air circulation, air quality and overall comfort, perhaps their simplest task is regulating temperature. The furnace keeps you warm during the long winter; the air conditioner keeps cool air flowing during the sweltering Utah summer.
When you work with At Your Service Plumbing, Heating & Air, you get a full range of temperature-related expertise, from basic air conditioner and furnace repair and upkeep to quality thermostat service and many other areas in between. Not only will we assist you with maintaining the optimal temperature in your home throughout the year, we can also provide expertise on the proper temperature ranges for several distinct purposes or situations. Here’s a basic primer:
General Temperature Range
On a day-to-day basis, humans are generally comfortable in a relatively wide range of temperatures. We generally recommend keeping the thermostat set between 68 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit – toward the former in the winter, and toward the latter in the summer with energy efficiency in mind.
As you view these ranges, it’s important to remember that thermostat setting isn’t the only factor at play here. During the summer, for instance, you can use fans and window drapes to cool down the home during the day, limiting the strain on your system.
Infants and Babies
If you have any new children in the home, it’s generally best to drop your temperature range just a bit from the above. Babies do best in temperatures ranging from 65 to 75 degrees. To get an idea of the ideal number for your child, feel their ears or chest at various temperature settings to track if they feel too hot or too cold.
Animals
For owners of traditional home pets, namely dogs and cats, there’s rarely any need to deviate from your day-to-day temperature settings. These animals do just fine within this range, and even within wider ranges in many cases (some homeowners set their thermostat higher or lower when the leave for work, which is usually just fine with dogs or cats at home).
If you have a rarer animal, however, such as a fish, lizard or rodent of any kind, things could vary here. Do some research in advance to find out the specific temperature your species thrives in.
Sleep Temperature
What about at night? Generally speaking, the recommendation here are to lower the temperature range. Research consistently shows that humans sleep best in temperatures between 60 and 67 degrees, mainly because the body’s temperature drops during sleep.
Trips and Vacations
Finally, any prolonged absence from the home is a great opportunity to save some money on heating or cooling costs. If you’re taking a summer trip, you can often shut your thermostat off altogether, or at least set it to a very high number like 85 or 90. During winter, you have to keep the system on just to avoid frozen pipes and related water issues – but you can still lower the temperature to the 50-55 degree range without any issue.
For more on the proper temperature range for various situations, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff with At Your Service Plumbing, Heating & Air today.
