man confused with question marks next to summer and winter thermostats. This represents the best air conditioner temperature for summer and winter.

It’s normal to be curious about what the best air conditioner temperature is for your household

During the peak seasons, we might find that our home is too cold or too warm, so where is the sweet spot?

You’ve spent good money maintaining your expensive air conditioning system, so it’s important to know how to make your home comfortable without wasting any extra on energy bills.

Typically in Australia, the best air conditioning temperature for summer is between 22°C and 24°C; however, for energy savings, 25°C to 26°C is more appropriate. For winter, we recommend setting your heating to 18°C – 20°C for comfort and energy savings.

In this article, we’ll show you the best AC temperature settings for your home depending on the state and region.

If you’ve struggled with AC comfort and high energy bills, this is the perfect explanation to solve it once and for all (we hope).

Oftentimes, persistent problems with temperature can be an underlying issue; in these cases, calling our expert air conditioning team for a yearly air conditioning service is advised.

Summer or winter, we’ve got you covered.

Key Takeaways

  • The ideal air conditioner temperature in Australia varies by region, season, and personal comfort.
  • For summer, aim for 23°C to 25°C, and in winter, 18°C to 22°C is usually best.
  • Small temperature tweaks can improve both comfort and energy efficiency.
  • Humidity, insulation, and how your home is used all play a role in finding the right setting.

Factors to consider when setting your air conditioning temperature

Each air conditioning system, state, and region will affect what temperature is perfect for your home.

Don’t just wing it and set it to any old temperature that feels good.

We’re here to dial in your home so that you know your climate system back to front, leading to the best possible air conditioning experience.

Energy efficiency and running costs

While comfort is super important for your family and home, that shouldn’t be at the expense of your bank account.

Your electricity bills can rise fast during summer and winter, so learning the most energy-efficient temperature without sacrificing much on comfort is essential.

When you raise the temperature, this will actually increase energy efficiency and savings on your next bill.

Each degree increase from your starting point is said to save roughly 5–10% on energy use, meaning that you get a good surprise on your electricity bills next time.

Comfort

Comfort varies person to person and will never be the same for two people, so finding the middle ground is pivotal.

You’ll have to understand that people’s internal heat is different depending on size, weight, and more.

So that means testing where you feel most comfortable by raising the temperature to the highest level where you still feel that comfort.

But if you don’t care about your electricity bills, crank up the temperature and relax.

Climate and season

When you’re stuck at home during the peaks of summer and winter, it can be a pain to manage the heat and cool, but it is possible.

Each season requires a different air conditioning temperature for your home.

Homes with lacklustre insulation and ventilation will require more fine tuning to find your desired comfort level.

Those in far north Queensland, such as Cairns, can get away with a lower thermostat temperature than those living in Melbourne and Sydney.

Best air conditioning temperature setting for summer

There is no one solution that fits all, as each area/region of Australia has a unique climate that suits a specific temperature.

Australia is divided into 5 or 6 climate zones: temperature, cool temperate, grasslands, tropical, sub-tropical, and desert.

Knowing where you are is important because being in Tasmania is going to be drastically different from living in Darwin.

Your ideal air conditioning temperature setting in summer for most of Australia is going to be between 23°C – 25°C; however, for energy-efficiency purposes, you might find 24°C – 27°C more appropriate.

It’s important to stay cool in summer, that’s why we created the 50 tips to stay cool during summer.

The best summer air conditioning settings for Australians are:

Climate Zone Region Comfort-Based Summer AC Temperature
Tropical Northern QLD, Northern NT, Northern WA 23°C
Subtropical South-East QLD, Northern NSW, Coastal WA (north of Perth) 24°C
Temperate / Mediterranean Eastern NSW, Central VIC, SA, Perth 24–25°C
Grassland / Savanna Western QLD, Western NSW 24°C
Desert Central Australia (e.g. Alice Springs, Coober Pedy) 23°C
Cool Temperate Tasmania 27–28°C (if AC used)

The most energy-efficient summer air conditioning settings in Australia are:

Climate Zone Region Recommended Energy-Efficient Summer AC Temperature
Tropical Northern QLD, Northern NT, Northern WA 26–27°C
Subtropical South-East QLD, Northern NSW, Coastal WA (north of Perth) 25–26°C
Temperate / Mediterranean Eastern NSW, Victoria, SA, Perth 24–25°C
Grassland / Savanna Western QLD, Western NSW 25–26°C
Desert Central Australia (Alice Springs, Coober Pedy) 26–27°C
Cool Temperate Tasmania 28°C (if AC used)

Best air conditioning temperature setting for winter

When it comes to winter, different air conditioning systems can vary the desired AC temperatures.

Those with ducted heating might have to tweak their thermostat more to find the sweet spot.

If you have a reverse-cycle air conditioner, such as a split system or ducted air conditioning, it’s much more straightforward.

Generally, the best air conditioning temperature for winter is 18°C – 22°C.

Colder parts of Australia, such as Tasmania, New South Wales, and Victoria, tend to need a slightly higher temperature than the rest of the country.

So many factors play a part, such as home size, insulation, location, and much more.

However, the balance between both comfort and energy efficiency does not vary much.

The best winter air conditioning temperature for Australia is as follows:

Climate Zone Region Recommended Winter Heating Temperature (°C)
Tropical Northern QLD, Northern NT, Northern WA 18–20°C
Subtropical South-East QLD, Northern NSW, Coastal WA (north of Perth) 18–20°C
Temperate / Mediterranean Eastern NSW, Victoria, SA, Perth 19–21°C
Grassland / Savanna Western QLD, Western NSW 18–20°C
Desert Central Australia (Alice Springs, Coober Pedy) 18–20°C
Cool Temperate Tasmania 20–22°C

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What is the most energy-efficient air conditioning temperature

It all depends on your state and region.

Summer: we’ve found that for cooling, 24°C – 27°C is more appropriate.

Winter: we recommend setting your heating to 18°C – 22°C for energy efficiency.

Why air conditioning temperature is not so simple

We make it out to be more simple than it is, but it does require an understanding of your own situation and testing to find what is working best.

Types of air conditioner: There are many options with regard to heating and cooling systems. There is a split system, ducted air conditioning, ducted heating, evaporative cooling, and portable units.

Service history: What is the service history of your AC system? This will affect whether it performs well and can hold the correct temperature consistently. Sometimes an AC repair is needed for prolonged system issues.

Energy-efficiency rating: If you have a highly-efficient electric air conditioning system, then your system won’t use the same amount of energy as another lower-level air con. Heating and cooling systems can go up to 6 or 10 stars, with the more stars being a more efficient system.

Climate: Take a look at the table above, which shows which climate each region is. This will drastically affect what temperature is more energy-efficient for you. Some climates are far more energy-efficient than others.

While it’s important to save on your energy bills with the rising cost of gas and electricity, don’t sacrifice your comfort for some extra savings.

During the tough summer or winter months, find a middle ground that you’re comfortable with and that keeps the costs down.

To learn more about how air conditioning works, check out our complete guide to air conditioning in Melbourne.

What is the optimal air conditioning temperature for sleeping?

Most people are indifferent about what the temperature of their room is when they sleep.

Australia has been known to have excruciating summer nights, so it might feel normal to blast the air con, but studies show this can drastically negatively affect your sleep.

The Sleep Foundation recommends keeping your bedroom between 18°C and 20°C for the best sleep.

That’s because your body naturally lowers its core temperature when you’re winding down at night.

If the room’s too warm, your body has to work harder to cool down, which can make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep through the night.

If the room gets over 21°C, studies have shown that sleep quality starts to drop off.

And on the other end, if it’s too cold, your body might not stay in a deep sleep.

You could end up tossing and turning or waking up earlier than you want to.

Some practical tips

If you’re in a warmer part of Australia, try setting your AC around 22°C to 24°C at night.

It’s usually cool enough to help you sleep, but not so cold that you wake up freezing.

Using a ceiling fan or even a small pedestal fan can also help circulate the air and keep the room feeling cooler without overdoing it on the air con.

In cooler regions, 20°C might be enough. Some nights, you might not need the AC at all, just a bit of airflow or a cracked window.

Older people might need it a bit warmer

As we age, our bodies don’t regulate temperature as well, so slightly warmer settings like 20°C to 25°C might feel better for older adults.

Just keep in mind that once it creeps above that, sleep quality can start to dip again.

Tips for finding the perfect air conditioning temperature for your home

There isn’t just one temperature that works for everyone when setting your air conditioning.

What feels right for you might be completely wrong for another.

It really depends on your location, how your house is built, and what is comfortable for your body.

Here’s how to work it out simply and easily.

Step 1: Look at your local climate

Where you live really matters here

  • If you’re up north, like Darwin or Cairns, where it’s hot and humid most of the time, a setting around 23°C usually works well
  • In places like Sydney, Melbourne, or Adelaide, you can often go a bit cooler, like 24 to 25°C
  • If it’s cooler or in between seasons, 22 to 23°C might be all you need

It’s a good idea to start with what your local weather is like most of the year and adjust from there

Step 2: Pay attention to how your body feels

Your comfort is the best guide

  • If you’re throwing on a jumper inside, it’s probably too cold
  • If you’re waking up sweaty or uncomfortable, maybe it’s not cool enough
  • If your skin feels dry or your throat feels scratchy, your AC might be working too hard

Try changing the temp just one degree at a time, and give it a day or two before making another change

Step 3: Think about humidity, not just the temperature

Humidity makes a big difference in how the air feels

  • If the air feels sticky, your AC setting might feel hotter than it is
  • Try using dry mode or a dehumidifier to make the air feel more comfortable without lowering the temp too much
  • On really dry days, you might want to ease off the AC or use a fan instead

Dry air usually feels cooler, so you might be able to keep the temp higher and still feel good

Step 4: Only cool the rooms you’re actually using

You don’t need to cool the whole house all the time

  • Close doors to rooms no one’s in
  • Use zoning features if your system has them
  • Set timers so the AC isn’t running when you’re asleep or out of the house

Even basic settings like sleep mode or eco mode can help without making the house uncomfortable

Step 5: Test it out and adjust as you go

You probably won’t hit the perfect temp on the first try

  • Start with something that feels ok, like 24 or 25°C
  • Pay attention to how you feel during the day and at night
  • Change it little by little and give yourself time to notice the difference

The goal isn’t just to save energy or be technical. It’s to feel good in your own home without making the AC work harder than it needs to.

Air Conditioning Temperature FAQs

What temperature should I set the air conditioner to in winter?

Set your air conditioner to around 18–22°C in winter. This keeps your home warm and comfortable without using too much energy.

What's a good temperature in summer?

A good summer temperature is around 23–25°C. It helps keep you cool while saving on electricity bills.

Can a faulty thermostat affect the temperature settings?

Yes, a faulty thermostat can cause your air conditioner to heat or cool incorrectly. If you notice strange temperature changes, it might be time to check or replace the thermostat.

What is the ideal temperature to save electricity?

For both summer and winter, aim for 24–27°C when cooling and 18–23°C when heating. These ranges balance comfort and energy efficiency.

Is 25 degrees too hot in winter?

Yes, 25°C in winter might feel warm but can lead to higher energy bills. Keeping it around 18–20°C is usually more comfortable and cost-effective.

Get professional air conditioning help

Getting your air conditioner temperature right isn’t just about staying cool or warm.

It’s about finding that balance between comfort, energy savings, and what works for your home and climate.

Whether you’re trying to sleep better in summer, warm up a chilly bedroom in winter, or just want to avoid surprise power bills, setting the right temperature can make a real difference.

Not sure where to start?

Try the suggested temperature ranges for your region, tweak a little each day, and see what feels best.

Comfort isn’t a one-size-fits-all setting, but with a few smart changes, you’ll find what works for you.

Need help with your air conditioning setup or looking for a more energy-efficient system?

Talk to a licenced HVAC professional in your area or book a seasonal service to make sure your system is running at its best.

Your ideal indoor climate is closer than you think. Sometimes, it’s just a few degrees away.