Does Having the AC on 72 Instead of 70 Make It Cheaper?

Does 72°F Cost Less Than 70°F?

Yes. Setting your thermostat to 72°F instead of 70°F lowers your cooling costs, and the reason is simple physics rather than a big equipment change. Your air conditioner works to overcome the gap between the temperature inside and the temperature outside, so the smaller that gap, the less the system has to run. During an Oklahoma summer, when outdoor temperatures in Edmond and Oklahoma City routinely top 95 to 100 degrees, asking your system to hold 70°F means fighting a much larger differential than holding 72°F. Every degree you ease off translates into less compressor run time and lower electricity use across the season.

Why the indoor-outdoor gap matters so much

Air conditioners don’t have a single “cost per degree,” they respond to how hard and how long they have to run. When it’s 100 degrees outside, targeting 70°F inside means overcoming a 30-degree difference. Bumping the setpoint to 72°F trims that to 28 degrees. That may sound minor, but it measurably reduces how often the compressor cycles and how long it stays on, and those run-time savings compound over the long Oklahoma cooling season from June through September.

There’s a second benefit beyond the electric bill: running the system a little less aggressively reduces wear on the compressor and blower motor. Less run time can mean fewer breakdowns and a longer equipment lifespan, which protects you from premature repairs down the road.

The factors that decide how much you actually save

The savings from a two-degree change aren’t identical from house to house. Several factors shape the outcome:

• System efficiency (SEER2): A newer, higher-efficiency unit converts each degree of setpoint change into bigger savings than an aging system.
• Single- vs. variable-speed equipment: Variable-speed systems modulate output and often hold a setpoint far more economically than older single-stage units.
• Home insulation and windows: Better-insulated homes hold cool air longer, making each degree more impactful.
• Ductwork condition: Sealed, insulated ducts deliver conditioned air where it’s needed; leaky ducts waste it before it ever reaches the room.
• Air filter maintenance: A clean filter lets the system breathe and run efficiently at any setting.
• Thermostat placement: A thermostat in direct sun or near a vent gives false readings and causes short-cycling.
• Humidity control: Oklahoma’s humidity makes 72°F feel noticeably more comfortable when moisture is well managed, so you may not miss the cooler setting at all.

Getting the most from every degree

Most people find 72°F perfectly comfortable, especially once humidity is under control, so the change is usually painless. But if you’re raising the setpoint and still not seeing the comfort or savings you’d expect, the culprit is often one of the factors above, an underperforming system, leaky ducts, a dirty filter, or a poorly placed thermostat, rather than the temperature itself.

At Triple Play Home Services, our NATE-certified technicians can evaluate your entire system to make sure it’s actually delivering the efficiency your thermostat settings should earn you. As a veteran-owned, locally operated team, we’re your home team for every season, and if a tune-up or repair is worthwhile, you’ll see the full, flat-rate price before any work begins, with the diagnostic fee credited toward the job.

If cooling costs or performance have you concerned this summer, call Triple Play Home Services anytime at (405) 500-5333 for expert advice across Edmond, Oklahoma City, and the surrounding metro.