Every summer in Hyderabad, the electricity bill climbs along with the heat, and the AC is usually the reason. The good news is that choosing the best AC temperature can lower your bill without making your room uncomfortable. In this guide, the team at LARC AC Repair explains which setting works best, how much power it can save and which habits help most.
What Is the Best AC Temperature?
For most people, the best AC temperature is 24°C to 26°C. In India, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has required star-rated room ACs to come with a default setting of 24°C since 2020, and it describes 24 to 25°C as the comfort range for most people.
The reason is simple. The lower you set the temperature, the longer the compressor runs, and the more electricity your AC uses. A very low setting such as 18°C does not cool a room faster. It only makes the compressor work for longer.
How Much Can You Save With the Right Setting?
According to BEE, raising the AC temperature by one degree can reduce electricity use by about 6 percent, and moving from 20°C to 24°C can save around 24 percent. Treat these as estimates. Real savings vary with your AC model, room, weather and how long you run it.
Even so, the direction is clear. If you now run your AC at 20°C or 21°C, shifting to 24°C or 25°C is one of the easiest ways to bring your bill down, and it costs nothing.
Best AC Temperature for Different Situations
One number does not fit every moment. Use the table as a starting point and adjust to how you feel.
| Situation | Suggested setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime at home | 24 to 26°C | Balances comfort and power use |
| Night or sleeping | 26°C with sleep mode or a timer | Your body needs less cooling while asleep |
| Humid monsoon days | 24 to 25°C in Dry mode | Removes moisture so the room feels less sticky |
| AC with a ceiling fan | 25 to 26°C | Moving air feels cooler, so you can set it higher |
| Children or elderly at home | 25 to 26°C | Very cold rooms can cause discomfort |
Common Myths About AC Temperature
Myth: A Lower Temperature Cools the Room Faster
The AC cools at roughly the same speed whether you set 18°C or 24°C. The lower setting only keeps it running longer, which wastes power.
Myth: Any Single Temperature Suits Everyone
Humidity, room size, sunlight and personal comfort all matter. That is why the best AC temperature is a range, not one fixed number.
How to Find Your Best AC Temperature Step by Step
- Start at 24°C and give the room about 15 to 20 minutes to cool.
- Turn on the ceiling fan to spread the cool air evenly.
- Raise the setting by one degree if you feel comfortable, and stay at the highest setting that still feels good.
- Use sleep mode or a timer at night so the AC does not over-cool the room.
- Switch to Dry mode on damp, cloudy days instead of lowering the temperature.
Everyone feels heat differently, so the best AC temperature for your family may be a degree higher or lower than the next home. The goal is the highest setting you still find comfortable.
Other Ways to Cut Your AC Electricity Bill
The setting is only part of the story. These habits also help:
- Use a ceiling fan along with the AC, so you can keep the temperature a degree or two higher.
- Keep doors and windows shut and close curtains on walls that get strong sun.
- Clean the filters every few weeks, since clogged filters make the AC work harder.
- Check the gas level. A low refrigerant level reduces cooling and raises the bill, so see our AC gas filling service if cooling feels weak.
- Service the AC every year with our AC servicing visit to keep coils and drains clean.
- Choose a good star rating when buying, as explained on the Bureau of Energy Efficiency website.
When the Right Setting Still Does Not Cool
If you have set the best AC temperature and the room is still warm, the problem is not the setting. Common causes are dirty filters, low gas, a frozen coil or an AC that is too small for the room. In that case, a technician check from our AC repair team will find the real reason. You can also read how rules on AC settings are changing on the BEE website, since the government has spoken about a 20°C to 28°C allowed range.
Best AC Temperature FAQs
What is the best AC temperature to save electricity?
Between 24°C and 26°C is the best range for most homes. It is comfortable and uses much less power than settings of 18°C to 21°C.
Is 24 degrees good for AC at night?
Yes, 24°C is fine, and many people prefer 26°C at night with sleep mode or a timer, because the body needs less cooling during sleep.
Does setting the AC to 18 degrees cool faster?
No. The AC cools at about the same pace, but a very low setting makes the compressor run longer and increases your electricity bill.
Should I use Dry mode in Hyderabad’s monsoon?
Dry mode helps on humid, cloudy days because it removes moisture from the air without cooling as hard, which can feel more comfortable.
Do you offer AC service across Hyderabad?
Yes. LARC AC Repair serves many localities, and you can check your area on the service areas page.
Get Your AC Checked Before Summer Peaks
A clean, well-maintained AC reaches the best AC temperature faster and uses less power. Call or WhatsApp LARC AC Repair on +91 86888 40509, or use the contact page, to book a service visit anywhere in Hyderabad.