What temperature is right?

The weather outside is cooling down into single digits, but of course you want to stay warm indoors. What temperature should you set your air conditioner at? On average, Australians set their winter air conditioning temperature to the high teens, and around the mid-twenty degree mark during summer.

By making some small changes to how you set your seasonal temperatures, you can save on your electricity bill, but remain comfortable all year around.

What is the right temperature?

Air conditioners should be set between 25 and 27 degrees for cooling in summer, and between 18 and 20 degrees for heating in winter to ensure maximum energy efficiency. However, these ranges are standard for a moderate climate.

As Australia has many climates, the below table is a general indication based on average temperatures across the country to show what your air conditioner should be set to in summer and winter.

Location	Summer (cooling)	Winter (heating)
North Queensland, Northern Territory, North Western Australia & Central Australia	21 – 23	17
South East Queensland & North East New South Wales	25	18
South Australia, South Western Australia & South Victoria	24 – 25	19 – 20
South East New South Wales, North Victoria & Australian Capital Territory	26 – 27	20
Tasmania	28	21

 

Essentially what this table means that air conditioning systems will have to work harder to find the balance in a harsher climate. In warmer climates the cooling temperature should be set lower, whilst in cooler climates the heating should be higher.

The harder the air conditioner must work, the more electricity it will consume. The lower you set the temperature while cooling and the higher it is set while heating, the more is being added to your power bill.

For more information on all things air conditioning, contact us today!