What Is a Good Temperature To Set Your Thermostat in the Summer?

As summer temps rise here in the Chicago area, finding that perfect thermostat setting can make a big difference—not just for your comfort, but for your wallet, too. So, what is a good temperature to set your thermostat in the summer? It depends a bit on your routine, your home, and what feels right for your household, but there are some tried-and-true tips that can help you get it just right.

Whether you’re staying cool at home, heading out on vacation, or adjusting for life in an older house, American Vintage Home is here to help you find the best thermostat settings for saving money and maximizing comfort.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer

For most Chicago-area homeowners, the ideal thermostat temperature in summer is around 76-78°F when you’re home and awake. This setting offers a comfortable indoor environment while keeping energy use under control. When you’re away from home for extended periods of time, you’ll want to adjust your thermostat settings to save money on cooling costs.

Here are some helpful summer home cooling tips:

• During the day (when home): Set your thermostat to 76–78°F to stay cool without overworking your system.
• At night: You may prefer lowering it to 72–74°F for more restful sleep.
• Short vacations (1–3 days): Set it to 85°F to save energy while you’re away.
• Long vacations (4+ days): Setting it to 88°F or slightly higher can reduce costs while still protecting your home. Just be sure not to turn the system off entirely.
• Going away for the entire summer: It may sound surprising, but don’t turn your system off completely. Keep your thermostat around 88°F to help prevent excess humidity and reduce the risk of mold growth.

Factors To Consider When Choosing a Temperature

Finding the best thermostat setting for summer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your ideal setting can vary based on lifestyle, comfort preferences, and even the construction of your home.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Humidity: Chicago summers can be humid, so make sure your HVAC system is also dehumidifying the air.
• Ceiling fans: Using fans can help you feel cooler without lowering the thermostat.
• Children, pets, or elderly family members: These groups often need a slightly cooler environment for safety and comfort.
• Energy costs: Adjusting your thermostat by just a few degrees can significantly lower monthly bills.

Special Considerations for Older Homes

Older homes in the North Shore and throughout Chicago have their own charm—and their own quirks. Many of them benefit from more consistent indoor temperatures, especially when it comes to preserving original materials and craftsmanship. Too much temperature or humidity fluctuation can cause wood to expand and contract, which may lead to cracks in flooring, damage to trim, or even issues with built-ins. That’s why it’s important to pay close attention to thermostat settings for older homes to help maintain their structural and aesthetic integrity.

Upgrade To a Smart Thermostat

It may sound like a lot to manage, but the good news is you don’t have to do it on your own. A smart thermostat can do the heavy lifting by automatically adjusting temperatures to match your schedule, preferences, and even the weather.

These systems take the guesswork out of programming and come packed with helpful features like:

• Remote control from your smartphone
• Energy tracking to help you spot savings
• Learning capabilities that adjust to your routine
• Easy integration with other smart home devices

With the right setup, smart thermostats can make summer cooling simple, efficient, and more affordable.

Schedule Thermostat Services With American Vintage Home

Here in Chicago and the North Shore area, older homes are part of what makes our neighborhoods so special, but they also come with their own set of challenges when it comes to heating and cooling. That’s why homeowners across the region turn to American Vintage Home. As the Older Home Experts, we know how to bring modern HVAC performance into vintage homes without losing the charm that makes them unique.

What makes us different? We offer free, no-obligation estimates on installations, transparent pricing with No-Surprise Quotes, and back all our work with a Worry-Free Guarantee.

Ready to stay cool and save money? Contact us today to schedule your thermostat service in Chicago and the North Shore area.