Hockey4mnhs -
Earth berm homes are cool (literally).
You should experiment with what you (and your family) can take. Part of it is what we have been conditioned to expect. In other countries people can withstand much higher temperatures. Also, it's relative. If it is 90 outside, going to 80 indoors may be enough of a temperature change to make you feel cooler.
We don't have a temperature setting. We only have one window/wall mounted AC unit (18,000 BTU cooling) for our < 1000 sq ft house. Right now it is not on. Here is our current temp (from
http://www.accuweather.com) :
Currently At 3:56PM
Sunny : 82°F
Feels Like : 87°F
Winds: South at 12mph
Humidity: 37%
Dew Point: 54° F
Pressure: 29.93 in
Visibility: 13 Miles
We turn on the AC when it gets unbearable. Right now it is off.
CarloSW2