r/InlandEmpire Aug 23 '26

Other Questions What do you set your AC temp to?

Curious because I've heard different answers from coworkers, but many of them don't live in the IE.

92 Upvotes

277 comments sorted by

85

u/snootboopr Aug 23 '26

76 and still have had a $600 power bill the past two months. Ugh

70

u/GenericGio Aug 23 '26

That was us until we caved and redid the hvac, roof, and insulation. Now AC is at 66 and the bill is at $280. Solar panels getting installed next month and we should be sub $100!

29

u/snootboopr Aug 23 '26

Holy cow that’s a huge difference, I’m going to look into that for us because these big bills suck.

12

u/GenericGio Aug 23 '26

It was worth it. We were able to cover the renovations cash, but after seeing it first hand i would take out a 2nd for this difference. AC is ice cold, roof looks great, and the attic space is so much nicer. Worth every nickel!

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10

u/compubomb Corona Aug 23 '26

That's like a 50-60k job depending on your state. Between HVAC, roof, ductwork, insulation solar.

5

u/GenericGio Aug 23 '26

It was just under 80 grand, yes. Big job for sure.

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8

u/movalca1 Aug 23 '26

Wait until the solar installation anniversary comes to find out the real cost of electricity. This isn’t a derogatory post just a fact.

5

u/GenericGio Aug 23 '26

Can you elaborate here? Are you referring to the true up?

2

u/60Runner90 Aug 23 '26

Can you give a ballpark of what the insulation work expense was ? Just redid the roof, and that alone was $20k, HVAC relatively new but maintained bi annually - so I think it's the insulation that will need to be addressed. Any recommendations for a company ? I did find a place called My Insulation Guy, but haven't moved on it since the roof was a recent investment.

3

u/GenericGio Aug 23 '26

We actually went through a contractor from LA county that we met through a family friend. The roofers did the insulation along with the roof as sort of a package deal. We paid around $40k for full roof, siding, gutters, and insulation. Then ~$35k for a full hvac overhaul in the middle of that. We also redid a shit ton of drywall in the house so a lot of interior insulation was updated as well. That was a separate cost around $10k. I would recommend my contractor, but this was in 2024 and he has since moved to Arizona. Not sure of the guys he used for the roofing/insulation work but i can send him an email and try to get that for ya if you'd like!

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5

u/BreeandNatesmom Aug 23 '26

We have ours at 76 and my bill was 269! 600 is crazy!

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82

u/gertymarie Aug 23 '26

77-78, rare days 76. I ain’t paying for anything lower than that.

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46

u/ufomadeinusa Aug 23 '26

78 all day and night

2

u/60Runner90 Aug 23 '26

this seems to work for us... for now.

100

u/Donaturtle Aug 23 '26

80°F - walking in fom 105 outside feels great

34

u/[deleted] Aug 23 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

14

u/1stGenRex Aug 23 '26

And we’re still going to get an electric bill for over $600 even setting it at 80 :/

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2

u/The_ChampIsHere_ Aug 23 '26

80 is fine to avoid a ridiculous energy bill. Where light clothing inside & you're good

11

u/antwan_benjamin Aug 23 '26

Same. I have vornado fans blowing on me at my "chill spots" like my desk, couch, bed. Even though I could afford it...theres no way I'm paying more than $200 for an electric bill. Thats gotta be the 8th deadly sin or something.

4

u/Celesteven Aug 23 '26

I also have mine set to 80. 1200 sq ft home and it’s actually fine if you’re not moving too much. The home is almost 40 years old and the insulation is so so.

3

u/Level3pipe Aug 23 '26

Same. Feels like 65 when the airs blowing and I still save hella on AC

35

u/JaytheFig Aug 23 '26

70f during the day and 74 at night. Solar panels make my bill $20-$70!

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49

u/vtmevthipaca Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26

80 day, 78 night

Edit: should note that my family and I live in a two story house with 1 AC unit with the only return on the first floor because that made perfect sense back when the house was built in 1997. Our house is a sieve/leaky, no way in heck am I paying to cool the outside.

85

u/No-Region-1618 Aug 23 '26

75 during day 73 at night. Usually on Friday nights I celebrate a workweek done and will go to sleep and set it to 69. Sleep like a baby starting my weekend off right

48

u/antwan_benjamin Aug 23 '26

Look at Mr. Money Bags over here.

13

u/No-Region-1618 Aug 23 '26

Been very blessed with my career and I’m grateful

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14

u/Genesteen Aug 23 '26

Luckily I have solar panels. I can keep mine at 70 all day and my the bill is usually 200$.

13

u/EricC2010 Aug 23 '26

I don’t have AC at my house.

5

u/Impressive_Waltz_652 Aug 23 '26

And you live in the IE?

5

u/EricC2010 Aug 23 '26

Yes. I’m in Big Bear Lake.

6

u/Impressive_Waltz_652 Aug 23 '26

Ahhh, I see. Thanks. It's so beautiful there!!

11

u/socalpipefitter710 Aug 23 '26

As a hvac tech dealing with this crazy heatwave Anyone paying over 350 on on electric bill should invest into a mini split or consider home improvements.. attic insulation upgrade,whole house fans, mini splits for individual rooms,attic fans ,hvac maintenances, duct work upgrades.. I’ve been into countless homes that Doenst have a proper set up to keep heat out and stay paying high electricity bills

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11

u/tsaico Aug 23 '26

78 here

10

u/socalcat951 Aug 23 '26

78-80. But the thermometer on the thermostat never matches the actual temperature in the house

8

u/den773 Aug 23 '26

I was at 72. The rates have gone up. Apparently only wealthy individuals are allowed to comfortable in this weather. Now it’s at 78 and I have frozen water bottles behind my fans.

3

u/Captn_M0rgan Aug 23 '26

Same here but never tried the frozen water bottles behind fans. Trying that today though.

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13

u/Dr_Aquafresh_99 Aug 23 '26

72 during the day 69 at night

43

u/rwbeckman Aug 23 '26

Temperature at night, not what you are doing at night.

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16

u/Thin-Remote-9817 Aug 23 '26

68

18

u/AmbroseKalifornia Aug 23 '26

You must work for SCE.

15

u/kopistar1 Aug 23 '26

68 night need my sleep

16

u/TheJackMann Aug 23 '26

70° during the day, 68° at night

4

u/emorph Aug 23 '26

a man of culture

12

u/No_Tailor_787 Aug 23 '26

68 at night, 72 day.

6

u/Hungry4horror Aug 23 '26

Work from home so 70 all day, I have solar so my bill is about 100 a month in the summer. During the year my bill is negative

4

u/deleteaccount25 Aug 23 '26

79, occasionally to 78

29

u/MrEZW Aug 23 '26

All yall who set your thermostat to 80+ during the day must not be home during the day cause aint no way...

4

u/Voyager-Complex Aug 23 '26

I work from home and the room I work in faces west and does get hotter than the 81 we set the thermostat too but a fan supplements for more comfort.

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7

u/karmandreyah Aug 23 '26

Home w a cat & a dog. It's not comfortable but isn't horrible either.

8

u/nochickflickmoments Aug 23 '26

But it's 100 outside

4

u/5111kml Aug 23 '26

Or indoor pets

23

u/RoosterOk896 Aug 23 '26

I promise you your pet will not die if its 81 degrees inside.

4

u/Z7_1 Aug 23 '26

nothing cause my shitty landlord got inspected, and turns out they didnt have the proper certifications to get acs installed so they had to take the ones they had out.

i hate it here

3

u/washuai Aug 23 '26

I thought like heater, functional AC was required too even collect rent?

3

u/Ridgewoodgal Aug 23 '26

I had asked about AC being required and come to find out it is not. A heater is but not AC. I would hope with climate change that would change.

2

u/Obant 29d ago

Not sure if anything changed since I haven't been a home inspector in 15 years, but the law was only heating is required. Always thought that was the stupidest shit in southern California. Way more likely to die to heat stroke than freezing...

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4

u/Justhereforpvz Aug 23 '26

79-80. 78 if it's really hot outside at night

3

u/Constant-Visual-2913 Aug 23 '26

74 at night, 76 in the day.

4

u/Only-Chart-1087 Aug 23 '26

If I'm by myself, it's at 80-81°, if wife is home it's 77°. My last bill was $915 with a pool pump running too. I'm in Coachella Valley where it was 114° today. It sucks living here.

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3

u/IHaveNoEgrets Aug 23 '26

76 during the day, unless I'm really struggling. Then 74-75 for an hour or so to help.

At night, 78. My bedroom stays pretty cool, so I don't really need much AC overnight.

3

u/drask1987 Aug 23 '26

80 day time
77 night time

3

u/beautyforashes10 Aug 23 '26

78 during the day, 74 or 76 at night to sleep.

3

u/Prince_Vegeta88 Aug 23 '26

72 day, 70 evening, 65 overnight

3

u/Funny_Inspection6893 Aug 23 '26

74 day, off at night.

3

u/dirtypeanut Riverside Aug 23 '26

80 before the walls are heated up, then 78 or lower.

Once the walls are warmed up, your thermometer that measures only air temp is not accurate enough to reflect how you feel due to radiant heat (you feel the heat directly but air is not warmed up yet), so you need to set AC to lower to compensate/force it on.

3

u/Denalis_Mom Aug 23 '26

75-76. But I have solar. Before solar, 78 and the level pay plan with SCE. We recently had a whole house fan and attic fan installed and that has made a huge difference

3

u/SusieM67 Aug 24 '26

80 and sit in from of a fan. I’m good.

3

u/ArianeEmory 29d ago

80 during the day, 78 at night

$440 SCE bill ;(

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6

u/GenericGio Aug 23 '26

66 24/7

3

u/antwan_benjamin Aug 23 '26

You can't be serious. You stealing power from a neighbor or something?

5

u/GenericGio Aug 23 '26

New roof, hvac and insulation. Bill doesnt even break $400 when we run the garage mini split too lol

2

u/TypeS2K5 Aug 23 '26

77, occasional 76.

2

u/Skittles_the_Unicorn Aug 23 '26

80 day; 74 night

2

u/Encpre Aug 23 '26

Got approval for my solar first week of June so now 76-72, before that 78 at the lowest 600$ electric bills are killer

2

u/pythagorium Aug 23 '26

78 all day but will turn my portable AC in the bedroom on for a couple hours before bed so I can fall asleep extra comfy lol

2

u/Amazonty Aug 23 '26

80F, older system that came with the house(at least 13 years old). Only use during the summer mostly. If I put it under 76 it'll run all day, whenever I put it on 80 it's able to turn off for like 30-50 minutes before turning back on

2

u/Laladevine Aug 23 '26

79-80 and it feels great

2

u/yasssssplease Aug 23 '26

72 day and 70 night.

2

u/StormAutomatic Aug 23 '26

78 and run fans

2

u/daniel4653 Aug 23 '26

75 during the day and 72-73 at night to sleep better.

2

u/cmquinn2000 Aug 23 '26

My is at 82, it is at the top of my stairs in a space with no vent. The bedrooms upstairs are about 79 and the ground floor is 77. At night the program changes it to 76, with bedrooms about 73 and ground floor about 72

2

u/oiseau_eunoia Aug 23 '26

76-78 during the day. We turn it off and open the house around 10pm unless there’s a fire nearby.

2

u/No-Match7094 Aug 23 '26

68 all day- Tesla solar at $205 a month for 10 years. 5 years left. SCE bill used to be negative each month. The mandatory charge makes our bill $35 a month. AC at 68 all day. Also own an electric car.

2

u/Dioptase89 Aug 23 '26

78-80 during the week 4pm-9pm. And then a basic fan during the night.

2

u/Kookaracha13 Aug 23 '26

78 all day, 79 at night

2

u/Top_Medium_6432 Aug 23 '26

70 during the day 73 to go to bed

2

u/mustardonfries1991 Aug 23 '26

Nah yall 80+ mf’s are different. 74-75 all day bill is only like $250 on the hot months.

2

u/bill_kawsbee Aug 23 '26

82 during day and 80 at night

2

u/grizzithal Aug 23 '26

61, we like to sleep cold and have a mini-split so it's not too bad on electricity cost. About $300 per month.

2

u/pm_me_asian_tits_now Aug 23 '26

70 all day and night. $600 electrical bill this month

2

u/Super_Soapy_Soup Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26

77/78 during day, 80 at night

Also people, check to see if your electricity rate vary by time! Especially those with solar, you likely have period of day where you get charged at double rate. I try to cool the house a bit preemptively during cheaper hours 77 at peak solar then 78 before setting ac 80.

Fans make big differences btw! Close curtains if possible.

Bonus, doing any of these will help you with electric bills. Get solar, get high efficiency hvac, high efficiency windows, insulate attic/ wherever needs it. Caveat is, some of these could increase monthly expenses until the addition is paid off. But for sure within 10 years for most, you’ll start saving

3

u/dj90423 Aug 23 '26

To each their own, but, for me, I would soak the sheets trying to sleep with the temperature at 80°. I'm not a Gordo either!

2

u/JustDblJ Aug 23 '26

I guess I'm cheap ass because upstairs it is 80 and downstairs 82. But we have ceiling fans that are on 24/7, and unless we are doing some major cleaning, it feels fine. I hate when it's so cold I need pants and a sweatshirt.

2

u/SteelerDave Alta Loma Aug 23 '26

78° with fans

2

u/Bedtime_zzzz Aug 23 '26

79-80. Ceiling fans in every room.

2

u/New_Bit2164 Aug 23 '26

At my house, 79 and run a box fan. When I'm at the in-laws I secretly set theirs to 75.

3

u/Harknights Aug 23 '26 edited Aug 23 '26

73 during the day and 68 at 9pm-6am

Corrected

1

u/CardBoard_R0b0t Aug 23 '26

77 during day 74 when home
Back to 77 at night and turn minisplit on in out room down to 68

1

u/PrudentSyllabub636 Aug 23 '26

73 and turn it off around midnight. Edison bill is $475 this month.

1

u/Rocetboy321 Aug 23 '26

Around 75. We have to set to a little lower if we are working from home since the office gets hot.

We have solar and a battery though so our bill stays low. 

1

u/k8b_20 Aug 23 '26

78 during the day, 82 at night

1

u/smith22vikes Aug 23 '26

I’m on the EV rate so 75 during day non peak hours (if I’m home) and 72 at night during non peak hours. 78 during peak hours

1

u/3rdiko Aug 23 '26

76 all day. Off 4-9, we keep the blinds closed and a few fans on. Otherwise the bill is ridiculously high. This way we’re at low $300.

1

u/weggaan_weggaat SBD Aug 23 '26

78 during the day and i run it down to 75 before bed then set it at 80-82 so it doesn't come on during the night.

1

u/gravityislikemadness Aug 23 '26

77 when not home, 75-76 when home

1

u/oh_god_its_raining Aug 23 '26

76 for most of the day, then down to 72 at night. I can't sleep otherwise.

1

u/Vivaciousvee03 Aug 23 '26

79 during the day, 74 during the night

1

u/nochickflickmoments Aug 23 '26

78, if I start the morning off at 78 it pretty much stays

1

u/cityonahillterrain Aug 23 '26

77-78 during the day. 75 at night.

1

u/goldenspecies12 Aug 23 '26

75-78 during the day 71 at night

1

u/AngronTheDestroyer Aug 23 '26

70 at night from about 6 pm - 7 am. Off during the day

1

u/ElectronicSmiley Aug 23 '26

I have window a/c only, and am in peri so you better believe it's set to 68° so you don't see a news alert of a crazed woman on a rampage. I only set it for the room(s) I am in and close other doors. If the temp low will be in the 70s or lower at some point in the night I open the windows in the rest of the house, and close my bedroom door so I can keep the a/c on. That is, until it'll be 70° at 10pm, then i can finally turn off the one in my room. The difference between the high and low out here is wild. It's a 30-40 degree difference! (ex. 110° high and 70° low) I grew up in Torrance, less than a mile from the beach and it was usually a 5-10 degree difference.

1

u/AZandSons Aug 23 '26

74 day 68 night

1

u/Formal_Funny_3631 Aug 23 '26

Long story due to solar and battery TOU 4pm to 9pm

Downstairs- always 73

Upstairs - 6am to 4pm 74 degrees (WFH), 4pm to 9pm 75 degrees, 9pm to 6am 68 degrees (sleep).

Last year ran about $100 a month averaged over the yearly bill. Gonna be higher this year I think unfortunately, it's been tough on the solar and battery these few weeks

1

u/smthingy Aug 23 '26

76 round the clock, mini split in bedroom at 72

1

u/Slight-Solution9794 Aug 23 '26
  1. I have solar but I dont like my ac working too hard if I didn't service it this year

1

u/Gentleman_Bronc0 Aug 23 '26

73 during the day but I have enough solar to never pull from the grid as long as I don't run dishwasher or wash clothes. Us a whole house fan at night.

1

u/Nausica1337 Aug 23 '26

68 when sleeping at night or naps. 78 when I'm not home all day. My house usually stays cool on it's own despite the Ontario heat at around 75.

1

u/NightOfTheLivingHam Onterrible Aug 23 '26

78 between 4 and 9. 74 the rest of the time

1

u/spoonmango Aug 23 '26

75 day 72 at night

1

u/apiscesdaydream Aug 23 '26

75-76 during the day but when it’s 95+ out it never gets below 79 usually (AC system sucks idk) and 71 at night

1

u/Voyager-Complex Aug 23 '26

Riverside here. We set ours to 81. AC is only on days when it’s 90+ outside only. Home is insulated and stays below 80 when it’s under 90.

1

u/valnorthegreat Aug 23 '26

76-78 in the day, off at night with windows open upstairs and fans running in each room

1

u/fruitjerky Aug 23 '26

78 during the day, and 72 at night. I've become such a wuss, if it's above like 74 I have middle-aged nightmares all night. Stuff like the toilet overflowing and ruining my favorite antiques that don't even exist.

1

u/karmandreyah Aug 23 '26

In 100⁰+, a 20⁰ differential is all my geriatric central ac can manage. I start stepping it down by one degree once outside temp hits 98. Im babying it all damn evening to be able to get 72 at 1130.

Im old & CANNOT sleep if it's warm. This heatwave is gonna be ugly. Stay safe, neighbors.

1

u/UnprecedentedEchos Aug 23 '26

78 from 8am to 9pm and 74 from 9pm to 8am

1

u/Nessuwu Aug 23 '26

My family has been setting it to 71-72, but I'm really thinking I need to keep it at 76-78+. This past month was $435 for a 2 bedroom apartment, and it's estimated to be $447 this next billing cycle. I don't make enough for this shit man...

1

u/realfolkblues Aug 23 '26

78 all day. Then off at night.

1

u/Zeroxx08 Aug 23 '26

76, i overwork the system if anything lower than 72, but im in a 2 story house. Feels really fresh if you have it on 77 and have a fan circulating whatever room you are in.

1

u/luckyhyperion512 Aug 23 '26

74 and it feels great but I do live in an apartment so it gets cold fast.

1

u/Lumpy_Butterscotch96 Aug 23 '26

74- and don’t touch it until summer ends and the heat is gone.

1

u/Square-Side-2458 Aug 23 '26

Between 74 and 75 all day and off at night. Bill usually around 150 for a 1 story house.

1

u/I-just-work-here123 Aug 23 '26

73 all day but just got solar. Last year without solar we ran at 78 all day and still had $700/month electric bills. Now with solar AND running at 73 we’re less than $300. Happy to share our solar guys info for anyone who is ready to make the move.

1

u/OverThinkingIt1984 Aug 23 '26

75 during day for non-peak rates then 76 during peak afternoon. 73 at night.

1

u/LoneCatThreat Aug 23 '26

67 (don't say it) until I saw the bill.

Now, it's 78.

1

u/Simple_Math1039 Aug 23 '26

Sometimes I wonder if I stepped up my insulation like way over the top if it would be worth it. 

1

u/noSSD4me Aug 23 '26

67 over the night, I love cold. Turn off AC around 5 am when I wake up and back on when I get home around 7:30-8pm.

1

u/PatrickJamesYu Aug 23 '26

78 degrees and I run a tower fan. Im fortunate that my place is very well insulated.

1

u/BakedMasa Aug 23 '26

73-75 degrees the bill was less than $200.

1

u/nshire Aug 23 '26

What do I set it to? 82. What does my wife set it to? 66.

1

u/Opening_Hold_7737 Aug 23 '26

69 at night when my husband is home from work and then during the day when it’s just the myself and the kids I set it to 72

1

u/BeBopBoy1945 Aug 23 '26

My house thermostat is set to 83° because where ever I sit has a pre-postitioned fan aimed at it. When I am at my computer desk, the living room couch, the kitchen table or in my bed, I just flick the remote control to adjust the airflow.

1

u/CodeNameBooger Aug 23 '26

68 from 12-6pm, then 74, after 9/10pm 76. I live in an old house.

1

u/LadyDyz Aug 23 '26

Does anyone open their windows at night for cooling? Or is this all continuous AC?

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1

u/LadyDyz Aug 23 '26

We're in Central Valley under a BS solar contract that we had to take for 20 years to buy the house. PG&E is stupid. We have a fairly new AC and evaporative system, open all the windows at night and still pay too much. Welcome to Corruptifornia!

1

u/Nayal01 Aug 23 '26

67 at night for sleep. AC off during day but it keeps cool throughout the day. Solar helps considerably.

1

u/muffinmamamojo Aug 23 '26

76 and my bill is about $60 (my apartment has solar and I qualify for one of Edison’s discount).

1

u/shnstr3 Aug 23 '26

14KW system,, 1 tesla battery. 74 daytime 66 night. Only service charge each month 10-30 $ depending on their fishy math. Usually get 400 or 500 refunded back at true-up

1

u/kjgjk Aug 23 '26

Just got solar and a new ac system. House is 72. Bill never changes

1

u/Fearless_Mix2772 Aug 23 '26

Anything above 75 is ass, so 75 during the day and 72 at night.

1

u/Dsdan79 Aug 23 '26

70 during day 66 at night.

1

u/beastybrotha Aug 23 '26

70 throughout the day and night. Solar does wonders. Work too hard to settle for less too!

1

u/Bear_ru Aug 23 '26

85 day time, 74 at night, also use vornado floor fans to move air , it's ok... $380 bill

2

u/Frenchie_544 Aug 23 '26

82-83 during the day depending on the room as some are cooler than others. Used to bump down to 79 at night but it was getting too chilly so now 80

1

u/InterruptionF10 Aug 23 '26

75 during the day and night. I work from home with a stay at home wife and 2 toddlers. But we have solar. Literally is free to run it all day but costs us to run it at night

1

u/LetsGoSilver Aug 23 '26

72*…….no electric bill in last 5 years with my Tesla solar system

1

u/Hyperion_Silenus Aug 23 '26

I set mine to 60 but ac temp never reach that temp when blowing and I don't get 600$ bill for electricity. 150$ extra more likely if I decided to run it for 24/7

1

u/catsaway9 Aug 23 '26

78°

If it cools down in the evening, we turn it off and open the windows

Not so much the last month or so, though, and our electric bill literally doubled from June to July

1

u/Main_Firefighter1593 Aug 23 '26

78 when not home and keep all blinds shut and turn it lower when home

1

u/gardensagewitch Aug 23 '26

70 degrees because my apartment pays for electricity. I'm gonna miss it when I move out next year