Whats a reasonable temp to set A/C at?

We just got central air and we've kept it set usually at 72, sometimes 70 at the lowest. Is this too low? It seems like its always running, so are we going to end up with a huge electric bill? If you have central air, what temperature is your's usually set at?

Whats a reasonable temp to set A/C at?
I try to have it set for 10/15 degrees cooler than it's supposed to be outside. I live on the top floor of an appartment complex in Southern Californina and my electric bill runs about 200 dollars a month in the summer. I've been trying to get the manager to replace the air conditioner, but it's a no go. It will only be replaced when I move. I've even had Edison out here to check it and they say it is too small and old for this apartment. It is not energy efficient. (No kidding!)
Reply:YOUR A/C CONSTANTLY RUNNING MAY HAVE TO DO WITH THE BTU'S. YOU NEED A CERTAIN BTU RANGE FOR A CERTAIN SIZE ROOM. SOME FOLKS MAKE THE MISTAKE OF BUYING A 5000 OR 8000 BTU UNIT WHEN THEY REALLY NEED SOMETHING BIGGER. SO BASICALLY, IT WILL TRY TO PUMP OUT MORE AIR TO COOL A BIGGER ROOM, THUS STAYING ON CONTINUOUSLY, AND RUNNING UP YOUR ELECTRIC BILL. YOUR BEST BET? MEASURE THE SQUARE FOOTAGE OF THE ROOM YOU WANT TO COOL AND LET THE GUY AT HE STORE KNOW WHAT YOU NEED TO COOL, HE SHOULD POINT YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
Reply:70
Reply:72 degrees is the standard temperature to set an a/c at...
Reply:72 is the nominal temperature, but if it keeps running it is either because it is not catching up to the proper temperature it is set on..why....either improper sealing of openings...it needs re charged with freon...or a bad thermostat..also put a level on the thermostat on the wall..alot of them..especially older mercury bulb type must be levely mounted on the wall to operate properly..BEWARE... if it has a little glass bulb with a silver in it..dispose of properly do not break... this is mercury and once hits air can turn into a gas.. and harm your family..My twin nephews busted one and went into comas, and the house actually had to be destroyed...If this is a rental home and not owned for you..in usa the landlord is responsible to maintain a household to heat/cool a house and maintain a temperature of at least 72 degrees..it's the law
Reply:Probably 68 around there. Just below 60
Reply:We keep ours set at 74 most of the time. We live in So. California and today it was 105!
Reply:we keep ours set on 75 in Tennessee where the humidity is higher than the temperature.


If your unit is running all the time, you may be low on freon. Also, I have installed new thermal windows, siding %26amp; insulation along with blowing insulation in my attic.


Our house is energy efficient.


Your unit may not only be low on freon, but it MIGHT need a good cleaning. Have you changed your filter lately?
Reply:we keep ours at 70.





sometimes when everyone else in sitting in shorts, i'm sitting with a blanket





I can be cold natured at times tho
Reply:I usually set mine at 77 bc i'm cold natured. My best friend keeps hers at 69 degrees bc she likes it to be very cold so when i stay at her apt, i have to wear long pjs haha whatever you like should be fine; however, if you end up with an expensive bill, you should try using some small fans in the rooms you're in the most. They don't use as much power and they are just as effective.
Reply:depends on where you are and what your normal weather is like. Here where I am, I called my electric company and asked them what is it they go by when they are billing us. They told me they set their "marker" for 78 in the summer and 68 in the winter... I was like 68 in the winter! Because that seemed so cold... nonetheless... i should say approximately 78, this is what mine stays on or definitely around it... 77 or 76 on really warm days... I have dark curtains for the summer, and I run my ceiling fan constantly... Its rather pleasant inside my home. My friends say its really cozy and they feel so relaxed when they come over. More than once have I been told this.





So if you have these situations, fan, and dark curtains, that keep the heat out while closed, then perhaps this will help.





BTW My electric bill for this year has been an average of $33... I also have Central H/A
Reply:76 should be good, nice to have ceiling fans going to circulate air, also keep windows covered with curtains, sunlight can be a pain, causing heat...
Reply:The rule of thumb for a well-insulated house is to maintain the temperature in the house about 15 degrees lower than the outside temperature. This is the "healthiest" temperature if you are going in and out a lot, because your body adjusts from "hot" to "cool" and back to "hot" without much stress.





However, if you remain inside most of the time, you should set the thermostat at whatever temperature makes you comfortable. You'll have to experiment a little until you find the ideal temperature. But don't be surprised if your body doesn't always like the same temperature.





Also, don't be surprised if others in the room complain that "your" ideal temperature is too hot or cold for them.
Reply:My family keeps it around 78 and its fairly comfortable..cept when they go to sleep I set it lower around 76 so it kicks on because my room gets really hot.. :)
Reply:I'm a poor college kid, so I typically keep mine set at 75 and turn it to 80 when I leave. If you are conscious about turning it warmer when you leave the house, it can save a little money, but don't completely turn off the air conditioner, or your house will get sweltering hot and it will probably take more energy for the air conditioner to cool it down again than it would to keep it cool in the first place.
Reply:I usually keep mine around 75 or 76.. and I live in an area considered to be hot to most! If I want it to turn off and on then I set it at 76.. but at night I put at 75 and it usually has a steady on flow that is a nice breeze. Your electric bill may be a little high, but if you live in Michigan than chances are you're acclimated to the cold and this is comfortable. So, if you're not in a financial bind and you're content with this temperature then I would keep it as it is. Hope I was of some help! =)
Reply:The most efficient temp is 74 in the summer and 68 in the winter. A/C doe not make cold air, it removed heat and humidity from the air. The amount that the compressor will cycle will vary depending on temp and humidity. the higher either is the more an a/c system has to run. Adding a dehimdifier in the house will help the a/c system not work as hard. But it comes at a cost. The dehumidifier discharges warmer air, yet it is dryer. Dry air feels cooler than humid air.
Reply:69, dude