What Temperature Should You Set Your AC in Summer? A BC Homeowner’s Guide

Vancouver summers are different from the rest of Canada. Coastal humidity, wildfire smoke, and sudden heat dome events all affect how your home feels. That means the best thermostat setting depends on your home, your system, and your neighbourhood.

Vancouver Summers Are Different: Here’s Why It Matters for Your AC

Metro Vancouver has a unique climate. Summers are milder than most Canadian cities, but they are becoming less predictable every year.

The 2021 BC heat dome changed how many homeowners think about cooling. Homes that never needed AC suddenly became dangerously hot. Since then, heat pumps and air conditioning systems have become much more common across Vancouver, Burnaby, Coquitlam, and surrounding cities.

Humidity also changes how temperature feels indoors.

In Richmond, Delta, and coastal Burnaby, higher moisture levels in the air can make 26°C feel much hotter. A home in Calgary may feel comfortable at 24°C. The same temperature in Vancouver may feel sticky and uncomfortable.

Different parts of Metro Vancouver also hold heat differently:

• Burnaby, Coquitlam, and New Westminster experience strong urban heat retention
• Richmond and coastal areas deal with higher humidity
• North Vancouver and West Vancouver are cooler overall, but upper floors in hillside homes trap heat during summer evenings

This is why there is no single thermostat setting that works for every BC home.

The Ideal AC Temperature for BC Homes in Summer

Here is how it works.

When You’re Home

For most homes in Metro Vancouver, the best daytime setting is:

• 22°C–24°C during active hours

This range keeps indoor humidity under control while maintaining comfort.

Humidity matters just as much as temperature. If indoor humidity rises above 60%, rooms feel warmer even when the thermostat looks reasonable.

In coastal BC, many homeowners feel most comfortable closer to 22°C or 23°C during humid weather.

When You’re Away

Do not completely turn the system off.

Instead, raise the temperature to:

• 26°C–28°C while away from home

This prevents the house from overheating during the afternoon. It also reduces stress on the AC or heat pump when cooling the home again later.

Trying to cool a 35°C house after work forces the system to run continuously for hours. That increases energy use and puts extra strain on compressors and motors.

A smart thermostat handles this automatically with scheduled setbacks.

At Night

For sleeping, cooler settings usually work best:

• 20°C–22°C overnight

Metro Vancouver nights stay warmer during heat waves because humidity holds heat in the air. Cooler sleeping temperatures improve comfort and sleep quality.

Fan mode or eco mode also helps circulate air without running the compressor constantly overnight.

How to Adjust Based on Your Daily Routine

Here is how you can do it.

Heat Pumps vs. Central AC: Which Temperature Strategy Works Best?

Heat pumps have become the most popular cooling system across Metro Vancouver.

They work as both heaters and air conditioners. That makes them ideal for BC’s climate, where winters are moderate and summers are getting hotter.

Provincial rebates and BC Hydro incentives have also pushed more homeowners toward heat pump systems.

Heat Pump Temperature Strategy vs. Traditional AC

Heat pumps work differently from older central AC systems.

A traditional AC system can handle bigger temperature swings. You can turn it down quickly and recover faster.

Heat pumps perform best when they maintain a stable indoor temperature.

For heat pumps:

• Keep temperature changes within 3°C–4°C
• Avoid shutting the system fully off during hot weather
• Use gradual setbacks instead of aggressive cooling

Mini-split heat pumps are also common in Vancouver condos and townhomes. These systems allow different rooms to run at different temperatures.

For example:

• Bedrooms can stay cooler overnight
• Unused guest rooms can stay warmer
• Basement suites may need less cooling than upper floors

Heat Pump Efficiency During BC Summers

Heat pumps are very efficient in Metro Vancouver’s typical summer temperatures.

Most systems perform well between:

• 25°C and 32°C outdoor temperatures

During extreme heat dome events above 35°C, efficiency drops. Homes with poor insulation or large west-facing windows may struggle to stay cool even with a properly working system.

How BC Hydro Rates Should Influence Your Thermostat Setting

Here is what you need to know. 

BC Hydro’s Tiered Rate Structure

BC Hydro uses tiered electricity pricing.

Lower usage falls under Step 1 pricing. Higher consumption moves into Step 2, where electricity costs more.

Cooling systems are one of the biggest reasons homes cross into higher summer usage tiers.

Small thermostat changes make a real difference over an entire season.

For example:

• Raising the thermostat by 1°C while away reduces runtime
• Cleaner filters improve efficiency
• Smart scheduling reduces afternoon peak cooling demand

The Pre-Cooling Strategy

One of the best strategies during hot Vancouver summers is pre-cooling.

Here’s how it works:

• Cool the home earlier in the morning when outdoor temperatures are lower
• Set the thermostat to 21°C–22°C before noon
• Raise it slightly to 23°C–24°C later in the afternoon

This approach stores cooler air inside the home before the hottest part of the day arrives.

Benefits include:

• Less compressor strain
• Lower electricity usage
• More stable indoor comfort
• Better efficiency during heat waves

Signs Your AC or Heat Pump Isn’t Keeping Up

Many systems that handled older Vancouver summers now struggle during modern heat events. Heat domes expose problems that mild summers never revealed.

Lew Plumbing serves the best Air Conditioning and Heating services all over Vancouver and Lower Mainland.

When to Call Lew Plumbing in Vancouver

Thermostat settings only solve part of the problem.

If your AC or heat pump cannot maintain comfort during hot weather, the equipment likely needs service.

Pre-season maintenance before summer arrives is one of the smartest investments homeowners can make. A clean, tuned system performs much better during Metro Vancouver heat events.

Lew Plumbing serves homeowners across:

• Vancouver
• Burnaby
• Coquitlam
• New Westminster
• North Vancouver
• Port Coquitlam
• Port Moody
• Richmond
• West Vancouver

If your AC is struggling to keep up this summer, or your heat pump never feels quite right during cooling season, now is the time to deal with it before the next heat wave arrives.

Visit Lew Plumbing to book a service call or cooling system inspection.

FAQs

What temperature should I set my AC in Vancouver summer?

For most Metro Vancouver homes, 22°C–24°C is the ideal daytime range. Coastal humidity makes Vancouver homes feel warmer than drier Canadian climates at the same temperature.

Is it better to leave the AC on all day or turn it off when I leave?

Leave it running at a higher temperature. Set it between 26°C and 28°C while away. This prevents excessive indoor heat buildup and reduces system strain later.

Does a heat pump cool differently than an AC?

Yes. Heat pumps work best with stable temperatures and small setbacks. Traditional AC systems recover faster after larger temperature changes.

Should I use a dehumidifier with my AC in Vancouver?

Often yes. Homes in Richmond, Delta, Burnaby, and basement suites may still feel humid even when temperatures look normal. A dehumidifier improves comfort significantly.

Is 20°C too cold for summer AC settings?

During the day, yes for most homes. At night, 20°C–22°C is reasonable and often more comfortable during humid weather.

How do I know if my AC is properly sized?

If it runs constantly without cooling properly, it may be undersized. If it cools quickly but leaves the home humid, it may be oversized.