Choosing Summer Thermostat Settings in New Orleans

The right summer thermostat setting is the one your system can hold steadily through the hottest part of the day without running nonstop. A commonly cited reference point is 78°F while you're home and awake, but humidity, duct condition, and your system's capacity all shape whether that number actually works in your house.

A Starting Point for Summer Settings

The U.S. Department of Energy commonly references these starting points, though the right setting for your home depends on how your system performs:

• Home and awake: around 78°F is a common starting point
• Sleeping: a few degrees warmer than daytime, often paired with a ceiling fan
• Away from home: a moderate setback, rather than turning the system off entirely

Important: avoid turning the AC off completely when you leave, even for a few days. In New Orleans, indoor humidity can rise quickly, creating conditions that favor mold growth in ductwork and throughout the home.

Why a Moderate Setting Often Works Best

At a moderate setting, an AC system cycles on and off in longer, steadier runs rather than short-cycling or running continuously. Setting the thermostat far lower does not cool the home any faster — it only makes the system run longer, which increases wear and energy use without a proportional comfort benefit.

Humidity: The Factor Temperature Alone Misses

In Southeast Louisiana, outdoor humidity is often very high during the cooling season. An AC system does two jobs — cooling the air and removing moisture — and the thermostat setting affects both:

• Setting the thermostat too high can mean the AC doesn't run long enough to dehumidify, leaving the home feeling damp even at a moderate temperature
• Setting it very low can cause short-cycling, which cools the air quickly but doesn't remove much moisture
• A steadier setting tends to let the system run in longer cycles that more effectively reduce humidity

If a home feels humid despite the AC running, possible causes include a dirty air filter, an oversized system, or a mechanical issue that needs a technician to confirm.

Using a Smart or Programmable Thermostat

A Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostat can hold a schedule automatically, which removes the temptation to make frequent manual adjustments. We install and configure smart thermostats as part of our services — ask about options during a service visit.

Common Thermostat Habits Worth Reconsidering

1. Cranking it down when you get home — the system doesn't cool any faster, and it's easy to forget to raise it back later.
2. Turning the AC off entirely when you leave — in New Orleans this invites humidity buildup and makes the system work harder to recover.
3. Frequent manual overrides — every override interrupts the schedule and reduces consistency.
4. Running the fan continuously instead of "AUTO" — this can recirculate humidity back into the home after the compressor cycles off.
5. Placing the thermostat in direct sun or near a vent — this causes false readings and short-cycling; relocation may help.

When the Thermostat Isn't the Real Problem

If you've tried a reasonable setting and comfort still isn't right, the cause may be elsewhere:

• A clogged air filter restricting airflow
• Leaky ductwork losing conditioned air, which a duct camera inspection can help identify
• A system that's aging and losing performance — see signs it may be time to replace
• Refrigerant or airflow issues behind an AC that freezes up

Our maintenance plan includes two seasonal tune-ups a year, which can catch issues like these before they turn into an unscheduled repair.