Setting the Correct Facility Temperature

Energy-efficient air conditioning recommendations draw heat

August 22, 2019

Air condition settings recommended for residential facilities by Energy Star® have been receiving a lot of criticism on social media in recent days.

Energy Star, a federal government-backed program to promote energy efficiency, suggests residential facilities set their air conditioning settings for 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, 85 degrees when facilities are empty, and 82 degrees when residents are sleeping.

Recent studies have shown higher daytime temperatures can help improve productivity for some people. However, higher temperatures can also interfere with people getting proper sleep, as the ideal temperature for sleep is around 65 degrees.

Some facilities, such as schools, have experienced mold growth when air conditioning is set at a high temperature or is off when classes are out for the summer.

In office and other workplace settings, the U.S. Occupational Health and Safety Administration recommends temperatures between 68 and 76 degrees and humidity control in the range of 20% to 60%.

Facility managers concerned with maintaining an ideal building temperature for workers and residents can use smart, interconnected building technologies with sensors to assure a consistent temperature.

Latest Articles

laptop graphic
July 17, 2026 Jeff Cross

AI in Hiring: What Works, What Doesn’t, and What Employers Need to Know

July 16, 2026 Sponsored by Optisolve

New Technology Platform Targets the Hidden 90% of Cleaning Budgets

July 15, 2026 Ronnie Phillips

Redefining the Restroom Experience Through Functional Modernization

Sponsored Articles

New Technology Platform Targets the Hidden 90% of Cleaning Budgets
July 16, 2026 Sponsored by Optisolve

New Technology Platform Targets the Hidden 90% of Cleaning Budgets

July 7, 2026 Dr. Rebecca Bascom & Dr. Gavin Macgregor-Skinner & Dr. Omrana Pasha-Razzak

Evidence-Based Cleaning Ensures Healthy Places and Spaces

July 2, 2026

D.A.R.E. to Clean Restrooms Smarter with Tornado

Recent News

norovirus

Diarrhea Outbreak Expands

Legionnaires’ Disease Cases Grow in NYC

Most Americans Worried About Impact of Power Outages