Set your indoor dial to 24°C during the day. That’s the balance point where most households in southern Alberta feel comfortable without pushing the system too hard. If you’ve got seniors or little ones around, maybe lean closer to 25°C–people handle heat differently, and no setting works for everyone.
At night, you can bring that down a notch. 21°C to 22°C is usually just right for sleeping, especially if your home retains warmth after sunset. Dropping it lower might feel nice at first, but it can increase energy use fast. Besides, if the basement is cooler, that’s an option too–some people just crash down there mid-summer instead of tweaking every vent.
Humidity matters just as much. A room set to 23°C but with sticky air can feel stuffy, while 25°C with dry flow feels fine. If you’re not using a dehumidifier, the cooling system might have to overcompensate. That’s wear and tear nobody needs.
And yes, your habits play into it. If you’re cooking a lot or have big south-facing windows with no blinds, even 24°C might feel too warm mid-afternoon. But that’s not really about the number–it’s about where the heat’s coming from. Fix that, and you won’t have to keep nudging the dial.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Calgary’s Summer Climate
Set your cooling system to 24°C during the day when you’re home. It’s usually enough to stay comfortable without driving up your electricity bill. Going lower might feel better short-term, but the extra strain on the system isn’t always worth it.
When the house is empty for more than a couple hours, bump it up to 27°C. It cuts down on energy use without letting things get unbearably stuffy. Smart thermostats can automate this, but a manual adjustment works too if you’re consistent.
Overnight Preferences
At night, many people find 22°C ideal for sleeping–cool enough to be restful, but not so cold that you wake up freezing at 3 a.m. That said, some prefer slightly warmer. It’s personal. Experiment a bit and see what helps you sleep through the night.
Small Adjustments Make a Big Difference
- Use ceiling fans to improve airflow–it lets you keep the setting a degree or two higher.
- Close blinds during peak sunlight to help keep indoor temps stable.
- Don’t forget to change your system filter monthly in July and August. It really affects performance.
One last thing–don’t keep fiddling with the dial all day. Let it run steady. Constant changes can actually make things worse, not better.
Adjusting AC Temperature When You’re Away From Home
Set your unit to around 28°C (82°F) before leaving for a trip. That’s usually warm enough to cut energy use significantly without letting your place turn into an oven. Especially during those dry stretches in Calgary, keeping it too low while you’re out just wastes power. And honestly, there’s no reason to keep an empty house cool.
If you’re only gone for the day–work, errands, whatever–try bumping it up by 4–5 degrees from your usual setting. That’s often enough of a change to notice on your bill but not so much that your space becomes stuffy by the time you’re back.
A programmable thermostat helps here. Or better, a smart one. You can schedule changes or tweak things from your phone if the weather suddenly shifts (which it does, constantly). One summer weekend, I forgot to adjust mine before heading to Banff, and yeah… not fun coming back to a chilled apartment and a higher bill.
Some people go further and turn their system off entirely while away for longer. That’s a gamble. Calgary’s summer highs aren’t usually extreme, but direct sun through big windows can do a number on flooring and furniture. Better to raise the temp, not cut it off completely.
How Humidity Levels in Calgary Affect Ideal AC Settings
Set your cooling system a little higher–around 23–24°C–when the humidity outside drops. Calgary’s dry climate means sweat evaporates faster, so you might feel cool even when the room is warmer than you’d expect. Lowering the number further won’t necessarily improve comfort, but it will raise your energy bill.
During those rare muggy days–usually after a summer thunderstorm–you can try dropping it to 22°C temporarily. Just don’t go much lower. Too cold in high humidity can make the air feel damp and heavy, especially indoors. The goal is balance, not chill.
Watch Indoor Moisture
If the air feels sticky despite cool settings, a dehumidifier might help more than adjusting the controls. Some systems come with built-in moisture control, but many older models don’t. Adding a small unit in your main living space can make a noticeable difference, especially at night.
Humidity also fluctuates indoors with everyday things–cooking, showers, even how many people are in the room. So, if it feels warmer than the number suggests, it’s not your imagination. You might not need to touch the system at all. Just crack a window for an hour or run a fan. Sometimes that’s enough.
Contact “Calgary Air Heating and Cooling Ltd” For More Information:
Address
95 Beaconsfield Rise NW, Calgary, AB T3K 1X3
Phone
+1 403 720-0003
Hours of operation
Open 24 hours 7 days a week