As much of the U.S. copes with blistering heat, air conditioners have been humming, aiding comfort as well as survival. But what’s the best temperature setting during a heat wave? And what can you do to help keep your living space cool during the summer heat?
As Yahoo Life reports, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting the temperature to what you find comfortable and provides humidity control, though highlights the fact that the smaller the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower the overall cooling bill will be.
Other factors to consider include any health conditions of people in the household, how much you are willing to pay for your electric bill and what other cooling methods, such as a fan, you’re using.
What’s the Best AC Temp to Set During a Heat Wave?
The Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program, which promotes energy efficiency, recommends setting air conditioners to 78 degrees for peak comfort and energy efficiency when you wake up.
But not a lot of people follow that recommendation.
A 2021 Consumer Reports survey found people with central air conditioning set it to a median temperature of 72 degrees, considerably cooler than the energy-saving recommendation. None of the survey respondents selected a temperature warmer than 76 degrees.
In general, Energy Star recommends setting the temperature 4 degrees warmer when sleeping and 7 degrees warmer when away from home. A programmable thermostat can help regulate these temperatures, Energy Star says. And installing it further from areas that receive cool or heat, like an AC unit or window that takes in sunlight, can help.
Should I turn off my AC when I’m at Work or on Vacation?
It can save you money to turn the temperature up while you’re gone, but experts say turning off the system would actually cost more money, because the system will have to work that much harder to cool off your home when you return. Therefore, for daily travel into the office or even a weekend away, it won’t do much to help with bills. However, if you’ll be gone for a week or more, it would be worth it to turn it off.
How to Keep Utility Costs Down while running AC Nonstop
There are other ways to keep your house cooler. Windows can cause significant unwanted heat that’s trapped inside, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Here are a few steps to aid cooling:
- Adding window curtains;
- Limiting heat-producing appliances,
- Checking weather stripping on doors and windows;
- Installing ceiling fans to help circulate air, though don’t use this as a sole cooling device. FEMA warns this can give a false sense of comfort with airflow that doesn’t reduce body temperature or prevent heat-related illness.
EPA data suggests energy demand from air conditioning is on the rise. The number of warmer days has increased as the climate has warmed at the same time the number of cooler days has decreased.
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