Best AC Temperature for Dogs at Home
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If you have a dog, you already know the great lengths dog owners will go to for their furry friends. You might buy them fancy dog treats or a state-of-the-art dog dish (which you fill with homemade dog food no less!). But have you ever considered what your dog thinks of your thermostat settings?
It may sound silly, but your dog might just spend more time inside of your home than you do (ah, the life of a dog, right?). So it only makes sense to consider the best temperature for them.
What’s the Ideal House Temperature for Dogs?
There isn’t one ideal house temperature for every dog. But if you’re trying to decide what thermostat settings to choose for your furry friend, we recommend considering the following factors.
Size
Dogs come in all sizes. If your pup is on the smaller size, then they have a higher surface-to-area volume ratio and will lose heat through their skin more quickly than a larger dog. If you’ve ever noticed that small dogs get colder faster than large dogs, this is why.
Weight
Is your dog a lean greyhound or a corgi with a little more to love? Whatever your pup’s body type, weight is another factor that can influence their body temperature. If your dog is lean and fit, they will get colder faster than a dog that is a heavier weight.
Coat
Dogs with thin, short coats tend to get colder faster than dogs with long, thick coats.
Age
Puppies get colder faster and easier than older dogs do.
Health
Dogs who are ill or live with chronic ailments like joint conditions, for example, will usually benefit from a slightly warmer home environment.
Best AC Temperature for Dogs at Home
With the factors above in mind, you can set your thermostat to an ideal temperature for your dog. Here is what we recommend:
Winter
We recommend setting your thermostat between 69 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit whenever you’re home in the winter months. If you have a larger dog with a long, thick coat, they will likely enjoy this setting. If your furry friend is smaller or on the lean side, you might want to set your thermostat slightly higher.
Homeowners often wonder what temperature is too low for their dogs. If you’re going to be away and want to program your thermostat to a more efficient setting, we recommend setting it no lower than 60 degrees. If your dog is young, small, or ill, be sure to set the temperature higher. Don’t forget to make sure your pet has a soft, warm bed to curl up in. If you have blinds, leave them open. Our furry friends love to lay in the sun!
Summer
When the summer season starts, we recommend bumping up your thermostat settings to somewhere between 75 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re home. At this temperature, most dogs will be comfortable, but if you have a large dog with an extra thick coat (like a Samoyed for example), they may be more comfortable with the temperature set a few degrees lower.
If you’re going to be away and want to program your thermostat to a more efficient setting, we recommend setting it no higher than 82 degrees. Don’t forget to make sure your pet has lots of fresh water and an area to cool off like a shaded room or a tile floor.
Energy Saving Tips for Pet Owners
Of course, you want your canine to be happy and healthy, but you likely want to save energy when you can too. Fortunately, with the right thermostat and thermostat settings, you can keep your pet comfy and your energy consumption low.
Here are our top tips:
1. Consider investing in a programmable thermostat
If you’re like most homeowners, you want your dog to feel comfortable throughout the day. You also want to do so without having to leave your air conditioner running for hours while you’re not at home.
One of the easiest ways to ensure your dog is comfortable throughout the day without using excess energy is by using a programmable thermostat. This way, you can program your thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature in your home to something more efficient while you’re at work, running errands, or doing another activity.
2. Know what to set your thermostat at for each season
We recommend setting your thermostat between 69 and 73 degrees Fahrenheit whenever you’re home in the winter months. When the summer season starts, we recommend bumping up your thermostat settings to somewhere between 75 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re home.
When considering your pets, don’t be afraid to set your thermostat a little lower in the winter or higher in the summer while you’re out. While you obviously don’t want to subject them to extreme temperatures, dogs can handle temperature discrepancies better than humans.
3. Shut off your fans
Animals don’t cool off by sweating the same way humans do and they don’t necessarily feel the benefits of a fan like we might. Furthermore, fans simply circulate the air throughout your home and do little when it comes to lowering the temperature. Rather than wasting excess energy on running a fan, turn them off and adjust your thermostat instead.
Learn More About Programmable Thermostats at A Plus Air Conditioning
You’re already your dog’s favorite person. Make them love you even more by ensuring they are as comfortable as possible in your home. If you haven’t already invested in a programmable thermostat, we recommend it. At A Plus Air Conditioning, we provide thermostat installation services and more throughout North Central Florida and would love to answer any questions you have.