22°C is generally the sweet spot for indoor settings during warmer days. It’s cool enough to counter the heat without making the room feel cold or artificial. Going below that often leads to dry skin, higher energy bills, and complaints from family members who suddenly need sweaters indoors.
Some people prefer 21°C, especially overnight or during physical activity, but anything lower starts to feel less like relief and more like a freezer aisle. On the flip side, 23°C might suit households with elderly residents or small children who are more sensitive to cooler conditions.
In homes with direct sun exposure through west-facing windows, it’s common to notice uneven cooling. In those cases, you may find yourself nudging the dial down just a bit–though it helps more to draw blinds around mid-afternoon than to drop the thermostat by two degrees.
There’s also the cost factor. Keeping your unit at 22°C instead of 20°C during a heatwave could reduce your monthly hydro bill by 5–10%. It’s not just about comfort–it’s about balance. You don’t need to chill the entire house to feel relief; targeted settings and ceiling fans can do half the job.
If you find yourself waking up too cold or noticing condensation on vents, that’s probably your cue to bump things up a notch. Try 23°C for a day and see if anyone notices. Most won’t–until they look at the bill.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer Comfort in Calgary Homes
Set your thermostat to 24°C during the day when you’re home. It strikes a decent balance–cool enough to feel relief, but not so low that your system works overtime. If you’re used to lower settings, try easing into it. A one-degree increase can reduce energy use by around 3%.
When you’re out for more than a couple of hours, bump it up to 27°C. Some prefer a bit warmer–maybe 28°C–but past that, you might notice humidity creeping in, especially during those muggy stretches in July. Programmable models make this easier to manage without thinking about it constantly.
At night, many people drop it to around 22°C for better sleep. Personally, I find 23°C works just fine, especially if there’s decent airflow or a ceiling fan running. If you’re using a smart thermostat, set a schedule: higher during the day, lower overnight, and a quick cooldown right before you get home.
Don’t forget about humidity–target 40% to 50%. Anything higher can make the same number on the display feel stuffy. A system that runs too short won’t dehumidify well, so sometimes a slightly higher setting, but longer cycles, feels better overall.
And if it feels too warm at 24°C, consider insulation or window shading issues before cranking it lower. Might be the sun hitting a certain room, not the whole place being off.
How Calgary’s Climate Affects Indoor Cooling Preferences
Set your indoor setting around 23°C during the warmest months. That’s usually a sweet spot when daytime highs regularly push past 27°C, but evenings cool off fast–sometimes dropping below 15°C. If it’s any lower inside, it can start to feel a bit chilly after sundown, especially in homes with less insulation or drafty windows.
Locals are used to quick temperature swings. One minute it’s sunny, the next there’s a breeze that cuts right through. Because of this, many people lean toward programmable systems that adjust automatically throughout the day. Manual setups often fall behind when a storm rolls in mid-afternoon and the sun disappears.
Dryness is another factor. Summers here are rarely humid, so cooling isn’t just about fighting heat–it’s about not overdoing it. Lower settings can suck out too much moisture, making the space feel arid. A few degrees higher can actually feel better, especially if there’s a fan running.
Windows facing west get roasted between 3 and 7 p.m. Even a moderate setting can struggle if you don’t block that sunlight. Close the blinds around lunch; it helps more than people think. And basements? They rarely need anything running–they stay cooler on their own, which throws off readings if your thermostat’s installed downstairs.
People who’ve moved here from the coast or from the Prairies often say they need a few weeks to figure out their new comfort level. What felt fine in Vancouver might feel oddly cold here once the sun goes down. Some trial and error is normal.
Balancing Temperature and Humidity for Better AC Comfort in Calgary
Set the thermostat between 21°C and 23°C, but don’t stop there–adjusting humidity matters just as much. A target range of 40% to 50% relative humidity helps prevent that dry indoor feel common during summer cooling cycles in Alberta homes. Too dry, and you might notice dry skin, irritated sinuses, or static buildup. Too damp, and mould becomes a risk–especially in basements.
If you’re using a central forced-air system, pair it with a humidifier or dehumidifier, depending on your home’s layout and insulation. In older homes, excess moisture tends to build up near windows and in corners–especially after sunset when outside temperatures drop faster. A hygrometer can help track fluctuations. Some people install these in bedrooms or near return vents to spot patterns over time.
Smart thermostats with integrated sensors can auto-adjust blower speed and fan cycles based on both temperature and moisture levels. If you’re running a portable unit or ductless system, keep doors closed in the space you’re cooling to stabilize both variables. Also, avoid setting the cooling too low trying to fight humidity–it makes the air feel colder than it needs to be without solving the actual issue.
On humid days, especially after a storm or during a stretch of muggy weather, it might be better to lower the humidity by a few points rather than chasing a lower reading on the dial. It just feels better–less clammy, more breathable–even if the number on the display isn’t quite as low as you thought you needed.
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