Survey: Perfect temperature for air conditioning during summer — is 64 degrees!

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NEW YORK — Half of Americans wait until summer to turn on the air conditioning, according to a survey of 2,000 Americans. The poll looked at the downsides of summer and found that on average, people think five hours a day outside in the summer is just enough, but 38 percent would opt for even less.

With the worst aspects of the season ranging from feeling sweaty (35%), to bugs (32%), and getting sunburnt (31%), 53 percent of all respondents agree that summer is best spent indoors.

Respondents also named some of their worst summer experiences, which included “feeling faint from the heat,” “getting a second-degree sunburn at the pool,” and “getting dressed up and sweating.”

The average person goes into four public places a week during the summer just to escape the heat, with two-thirds of respondents agreeing that one of the best summer feelings is stepping into an air-conditioned setting.

The perfect temperature for air conditioning

According to the survey, the perfect temperature to keep the AC running at during the summer months is a chilly 64 degrees! Another reason that 55 percent of people prefer staying inside during the summer is that planning an outdoor outing is more of a hassle compared to an indoor one.

This may be why 53 percent are actually looking for ways to have fun indoors this summer. Most respondents add they’re on the hunt for fun indoor activities to catch up with friends and family indoors this summer (59%), but wish there were more options (57%).

Conducted by OnePoll in partnership with Dave & Buster’s, the survey found that 45 percent think it’s hard to find an activity that everyone wants to do on hot summer days. However, half of respondents admit they feel bored of all the usual activities they do with their loved ones in the summertime (52%), backed by 58 percent who agree that it’s easy to get bored more easily during the summer than any other season.

Three-quarters of parents surveyed also shared it’s hard to keep their kids entertained since they’re at an age where they quickly get bored of doing one thing (74%).

“A majority of Americans are actually planning on making summer memories indoors and it’s easy to understand why,” says Brandon Coleman, Dave & Buster’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer, in a statement. “Cranking up the AC, and dining, drinking and playing games are top choices for enjoying the most of the summer months.”

Exploring the great INdoors

This summer, people are open to different indoor activities to spend time with their loved ones of all ages like catching up over yummy food (37%), going shopping (31%) or visiting an arcade (25%).

Three in five don’t mind making things interesting with a little friendly competition in their friend group (59%). The same percentage are also more likely to try out new foods or experiences during the summertime and agree that summer is the best time of year for indulgent foods.

“For a long time, the idea of a ‘summer in the great outdoors’ has reigned as king, and frankly, it’s time for a shakeup,” Coleman says. “Spending time indoors is far from boring with endless entertainment possibilities for people of all ages. It’s easy to see how some of the best summer memories are made inside!”

Comments

      1. Dude, that’s no way to talk about your momma. But you’re right, she is pretty fat.

    1. Indeed. I would imagine those who set their temps at 64 degrees are not concerned about a $500-600 monthly electric bill.

      1. I have to assume this is for people that have window units and not central air. I live in Florida and the ac stays at 75. When I lived in NY with summer, we set the window unit as low as it would let us…around 64.

    2. Yup. A link to the study being summarized should always be included. Not one person said 64 is the optimal temperature, much less 1200.

    3. At 64 I’d be wearing winter clothes. I don’t even turn on the a/c until it’s about 86 in the house. Although I would set it a little lower when entertaining guests in a formal wear setting.

    4. Yup, I know of no one who keeps their thermostat at 68, not even my Dentist and it’s freaking cold in there.

  1. The only people who set their AC to 64F are the ones who don’t have functioning AC! I’m guessing a typo here, with 74F being the preferred number.

    1. When I saw 64F I wondered who are these people. Than I saw your comment stating 74F and that’s exactly what I keep mine set to. The only difference is at night when it goes up to 78F. I’d freeze if my unit was set to 64F.

    1. Who sets it at 64F? Native Floridians and others who live in blazing climates. Peri-menopausal and menopausal women who have hot flashes at night. Cardiac and lung patients whose bodies function better in cooler temps. Asthmatics. Lots of people. Insomniacs (cooling the body down helps with sleep). The real question is who can afford to crank down the thermostat that far?

      1. The point is MOST people do not set their thermostats to 64.

        But I wholeheartedly agree not many people could afford 64 either…It’s 97 today in San Antonio and I run my AC on 81 – so coming in from 97 makes 81 feel cold.

  2. 64 Deg will run for ever and and electric bill to go with it, 74 and on 90+ days runs and runs till the outside temp comes down,

  3. 64° a/c temp has to produce a whopping electric bill – or maybe that’s now included in welfare benefits. 74° for us is just fine.

  4. If you are extremely obese maybe. I am 130 lb and I get cold very easy and a temperature between 78-80 feels good to me. I don’t want to pay your power bill!!
    I run my AC mostly for humidity control keeping it between 50-60%. Keeps mold at bay. To further save electricity, I typically only run my AC twice a day.
    Once in AM at coolest part of day and then after sunset. The compressor surge current only happens twice per day. 120 surge Amp vrs 34 running amps.

    Still keeping my humidity under 60%. My house temperature does increase to about 82-84 degrees but my ceiling fans work well. My AC is a 5-ton heat pump. I have 2000 sqft. I live in extremely humid coastal Louisiana. I keep my power bills to <$100 per month. My last power bill for April to May 9th was $46.40. I try to keep my kWh to <800 per month.

    1. I read that Louisiana has the cheapest kwh rate..that also helps..here in south Texas energy rate went extremely high

  5. 64 degrees? This is the dishonest media promoting a shutdown of the electric grid for massive overload caused by 64 degree air conditioners. Who writes this DRIVEL?? Worse why does an editor allow this drivel to be published?

    1. According to many scientific studies the optimal sleeping temperature is between 60 and 67 degrees.

  6. Shocking that a poll commissioned by a company that profits off customers paying for overpriced unhealthy food and playing video games would find that people think the outdoors is horrible during the summer months. Coleman can continue promoting his biased survey and skewed perspectives catering to people afraid of the outside. They can hide indoors and the rest of us will be less irritated by them as we enjoy our beautiful summers outside with nice breezes, warm weather, sunshine, and nature. Also, shame on the Emmy winning author for re-promoting this drivel.

  7. Was this survey paid for by Dave and Buster’s? Who the hell wants their AC at 64? And who wants that electric bill?

  8. The poll was put together by Dave and Busters (indoor entertainment and food business) so it’s no surprise that they come up with such statistical nonsense. You can create a survey to have the results you want by manipulating the questions asked and limiting the possible answers as well. All said great free marketing for Dave and Busters though.

  9. After the Medical and Government establishment’s attempt at maiming the world population. Now they have come up with a new trick, freeze us all to death.

  10. Worthless junk science. Dave & Busters is not the PEW Research Center. 64 the prefect temperature? Perhaps for 2,000 people in Anchorage. Many utilities in California recommend 78.
    Is this the (poor) quality of material that Study Finds usually produces?

    1. Tom, 78 is not recommended. It is ordered by Gov. Newsom. You will comply or else. https://www.gov.ca.gov/2020/08/17/as-west-coast-faces-historic-heat-wave-energy-shortages-governor-newsom-signs-heat-emergency-proclamation-to-free-up-energy-capacity/
      Since our electricity is carbon based, evil Nat Gas, the State does not approve of Nat Gas storage. During summer we are always close to Black Outs . Rolling Black outs come when we can’t get enough electricity. California ISO . ” the blackouts were also a side effect of the state’s increasing shift to solar power and away from natural-gas-fired generators, according to state grid operator CAISO. This shift pushed back the moment of “net peak” demand on the state’s grid — a measure of total demand minus renewable energy’s contribution — into later in the evening, leaving CAISO with less dispatchable generation to fill in shortfalls between supply and demand.
      With high heat and peak electricity demand expected to continue throughout the week, California may be forced to rely on rolling blackouts for the immediate future.”

  11. Lol! I’d love to have my a/c set to 64′! But living in South Florida, where its 90+ w 85% humidity even in February at 4am, who the heck could afford that? I’m fairly sure my AC couldn’t even make it there! My power bill is already $200-250 and I only turn my AC down to 70 a few hours before bedtime, and put it back to 75 when I wake!

  12. I’d love to see the electric bill on homes with AC’s set to 64°. Here in Florida when the temps start soaring to the 100° I keep my AC temp at 78° especially with electrical costs. At night I drop it to 72°. I also have an older unit that runs constantly trying to keep the house cool.

  13. 64 lol, this survey was taken by bots that run at higher efficiency the colder they get. it’s def 74.

  14. Depends on outside temperature. The hotter it is outside the higher the inside temp can be for comfort. On 100 degree days 80 inside is fine as the A/C still runs enough to keep the humidity down. On an 85d degree day you might need 75 inside. Thermostats should really be designed to monitor outside temperature and adjust accordingly. 64 is for Eskimos in any case.


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