America’s preferred AC temperature isn’t the recommended 78 degrees

Why Americans Crank Up the AC Far Below the Recommended 78 Degrees

Cybersecarmor.com – While energy experts consistently advise setting thermostats to 78 degrees Fahrenheit during warm months to balance comfort with savings, a substantial portion of the U.S. population prefers significantly cooler conditions. This disconnect between recommended settings and actual preferences has been highlighted by recent research examining how Americans approach both sleep and daily living temperatures.

The Sleep Study Reveals a Strong Preference for Coolness

Bear Mattress conducted an extensive survey examining sleep patterns across the nation, with findings published on July 8. The research identified 67 degrees Fahrenheit as the ideal temperature for most Americans to achieve restful sleep. This figure represents a notable departure from the 78-degree recommendation that energy companies and government agencies have promoted for years.

“It’s the temperature most Americans say helps them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer,” Bear Mattress stated in a news release dated August 4.

The methodology behind the study involved more than 2,000 adult participants drawn from all fifty states. Researchers focused on mapping sleep comfort levels, temperature preferences, and bedtime routines to understand how both geographic location and generational differences influence how Americans prepare for rest.

Regional Variations Shape Temperature Preferences

Geography plays a significant role in determining what people consider comfortable. The study revealed that Massachusetts residents sleep at the coldest average temperature of 63.2 degrees Fahrenheit, while Hawaii residents prefer the warmest conditions at 69.5 degrees. These variations reflect broader climate patterns across the country and suggest that people adapt their preferences based on their local environment.

“Regional climate plays a major role in how Americans define ‘comfortable,'” the study noted. This finding aligns with broader patterns observed in thermostat settings throughout the year. A 2021 Consumer Reports survey found that Americans generally set their thermostats to approximately 71 degrees Fahrenheit during both daytime and nighttime hours. However, regional differences emerged, with Southern residents preferring 72 degrees during the day and Northeastern residents favoring 70 degrees.

Perhaps most telling was the finding that no respondent with central air conditioning indicated they would set their thermostat above 76 degrees during summer months. This suggests that even when energy costs rise, Americans remain reluctant to increase their indoor temperatures beyond a certain threshold.

Energy Recommendations Meet American Reality

The 78-degree recommendation comes from multiple energy providers, including Chicago’s Constellation, New York and Massachusetts’ National Grid, and Florida’s Carrier. These organizations have promoted the higher setting as a way to reduce energy consumption while maintaining reasonable comfort levels.

The Department of Energy’s guidance emphasizes keeping indoor temperatures comfortable while maintaining humidity control. The agency recommends minimizing the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures to maximize energy efficiency. However, the gap between this recommendation and actual American behavior remains substantial.

This disconnect has practical implications for household energy bills. When residents set thermostats several degrees below recommended levels, they consume more electricity, particularly during peak summer hours when air conditioning systems work hardest. The preference for cooler temperatures, especially during sleep, may contribute to higher energy costs for many families.

Sleep Habits and National Rankings

Beyond temperature preferences, the Bear Mattress study examined broader sleep behaviors and patterns. The research found that 58 percent of Americans prefer sleeping on their side, making it the dominant sleeping position nationwide. Additionally, approximately half of Americans spend the equivalent of three full months each year in bed, underscoring how central sleep is to daily life.

The study also produced state-by-state rankings for sleep quality. Nevada emerged as having the best sleep outcomes among all fifty states, while Oklahoma recorded the lowest sleep comfort index scores. These rankings reflect a combination of factors including climate, lifestyle, and possibly environmental conditions that affect rest.

The research extended beyond sleep alone, examining habits, routines, locations, and generational differences that define bedtime practices in 2026. This comprehensive approach provides insight into how Americans are adapting their sleep environments to meet their needs, even when those needs diverge from official recommendations.

What the Data Means for Consumers

The findings suggest that while energy companies and government agencies promote higher thermostat settings for efficiency, Americans have strong preferences rooted in comfort and habit. The preference for cooler temperatures, particularly during sleep, appears to be widespread and relatively consistent across regions, with only moderate variation based on local climate conditions.

For consumers looking to balance comfort with energy savings, the data indicates that small adjustments may be more effective than large ones. Setting thermostats closer to the recommended 78 degrees during daytime hours while maintaining cooler temperatures for sleep could offer a compromise between energy efficiency and personal comfort preferences.