There’s no single right setting, but a steady one you can live with beats constant changes. Set the number for comfort, then use the schedule, not the setpoint, to save. Climate Pros Tucson matches you with a licensed local pro when the house can’t hold any setting you pick.
Why isn’t there one number?
Houses differ. A shaded block home and a west-facing stucco home with big windows hold heat differently. The airport’s normal low in July is 76.3F, so the house doesn’t get a long cool-down at night. Pick a setting that keeps people comfortable and the system from running flat out.
For older adults, the CDC advises staying in air-conditioned buildings in hot weather rather than relying on a fan as the main cooling when it’s very hot. Don’t push a comfort setting higher to save money if it’s unsafe for someone in the house.
How does the TEP peak change things?
If you’re on a TEP time-of-use plan, summer on-peak runs May to September, Monday to Friday, 3 to 7 p.m. TEP lists alternatives to Time-of-Use, including Basic, Peak Demand and Demand TOU, so check which plan you’re on. Our rate plan guide goes through them. Trico customers should check their own plan.
A common approach is to cool the house a bit lower before 3 p.m., then let it drift up during the peak. A smart or programmable thermostat can do that on a schedule. Whether it saves you money depends on your plan and your house, so watch your own bill. See why your TEP bill is high in summer.
What about when you’re away?
Don’t shut the system off in a Tucson summer. Raise the setting a few degrees instead, so the house doesn’t become an oven you have to claw back. A very high away setting makes recovery long and the system works hard. Ask a pro what’s reasonable for your home.
What about pets?
Pets feel heat too, and they can’t ask. If animals stay home, leave a setting that’s safe for them rather than turning the AC off. Ask your vet what’s safe for your animal.
Does the monsoon change the setting?
Yes, in feel. When dew points rise in July and August, the air feels sticky even at the same temperature. A system that runs long enough also removes moisture, so a very high setting can leave the house clammy. Our monsoon humidity guide explains it.
Should you cool as low as it goes to cool faster?
No. A single-stage system runs at the same speed whether you set a few degrees below the room or far below it; the lower number only makes it run longer and overshoot. A variable-speed system picks its own speed, so a low number gains you nothing there either.
When to call us
If the house won’t hold your setting on an ordinary summer day, the number on the thermostat isn’t the problem. A licensed pro can check the system and the ducts. See thermostat installation across the Tucson area. Call (520) 353-2520 and we’ll match you with a licensed local pro.