Temperatures will be scorching this week across Illinois, reaching heat indices as high as 110 degrees in some areas, according to the National Weather Service.
While it may be tempting to switch your air conditioning to subarctic temperatures during severe heat waves like this, experts warn this isn’t always the best solution.
So what’s the best temperature to set your thermostat to while keeping electricity costs down?
What’s the best temperature to set the air conditioning to?
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends keeping temperatures inside comfortable and at a level that controls for humidity. People should also try to lower the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures to help save money.
Energy Star, an Environmental Protection Agency program promoting energy efficiency, recommends setting ACs to 78 degrees for comfort and efficiency when you wake up. Energy companies, including in Missouri, Maryland and Florida, recommend thermostats at 78 degrees during the summer months.
Few Americans follow this recommendation, though.
A Consumer Reports survey in 2021 said people with central air set their median temperatures to 72 degrees. No respondents selected temperatures warmer than 76 degrees.
What should I set my thermostat to when I’m not home in the summer?
The energy department says keeping a house warmer when you’re away can avert unnecessary energy use.
Energy Star recommends setting temperatures 7 degrees warmer when you’re away from home. Just a 7 to 10-degree difference, for about eight hours each day, can save as much as 10% a year on cooling and heating costs, the energy department said.
Should I turn my air conditioning off when I’m not home?
Experts say you should avoid turning off your AC unit completely when you leave, as it will actually have to work harder to cool off your home once you return.
An analysis by PBS found that those who turn off their AC units while they’re away at work could come home to “up to eight hours’ worth of heat at the end of the day,” with temperatures inside reaching the same level as outside.
Other ways to stay cool
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Here’s the best temperature to set your AC during Illinois heat wave
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, Marina Johnson, Katie Wiseman and Eduardo Cuevas, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Hannah Hudnall, Marina Johnson, Katie Wiseman and Eduardo Cuevas, Peoria Journal Star | USA TODAY Network
