What's the best temperature to set your thermostat to during extreme heat?

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - What’s the best temperature to set your air conditioning to? It’s a question many homeowners are thinking about after another day of extreme heat.

12 News spoke with HVAC technicians with Fahnestock who said the first step to keeping your home cool starts inside.

“The best practices are going to be trying to limit how much heat enters the home,” said Brett Judd, an HVAC technician. “So, black out shades, keeping the curtains drawn, any of that is going to help maintain the house temperature a little better,” said Judd.

When setting your air conditioning temperature, Judd said the best temperature to set it to is the one that makes you the most comfortable.

“It’s always easier to maintain than it is to achieve. So, when it comes to setting your thermostat back five degrees in the middle of the day just to try to save money, you’re going to spend that money trying to regain that temperature before you come home in the evening,” said Judd.

Most importantly, Judd said to check and maintain your air conditioning unit.

“Always make sure your filters are clean, drains are clean, because those are the two things that can kill a unit pretty quick. The better it can breathe, the more efficient it is. The longer it will last. It will save capacitors and compressors just by making sure it’s clean,” said Judd.