With heat indexes reaching the 100 degrees in some areas in the state Tuesday, July 14, Michiganders have been turning on their air conditioners — and turning down the thermostat.
Experts say finding the right setting for your unit can keep you cool this summer without hitting your wallet too hard.
All of Michigan is under a heat advisory or an extreme heat warning on Tuesday, July 14. Temperatures and humidity will make it feel like it’s 100 degrees — possibly 105.
According to American Home Shield, single window AC unit uses far less electricity than a central air system: roughly 500 to 1,440 watts versus 3,500+ watts for central AC.
While it’s tempting to turn the thermostat down as low as possible, energy experts say keeping the temperature a few degrees higher can cool you off and save a few bucks.
Here’s a look at how to keep things cool, and maybe keep your electric bills down, too.
What is the best temperature to set your air conditioner?
Can I save money by setting the temperature higher?
DTE Energy recommends that customers set their thermostat to 78 degrees, and raise it a few degrees when they’re not home. Every degree raised is a 1% to 3% cost savings on energy bills, DTE said.
Residents should aim to keep the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures as small possible to save the most money, the U.S. Department of Energy says.
“You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day from its normal setting. The percentage of savings from setback is greater for buildings in milder climates than for those in more severe climates,” the DoE said. “The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.”
In the summer, with central air conditioning, keep your house warmer than normal when you are away, and set the thermostat to a setting as high as is comfortable for you when you are at home and need cooling and to ensure humidity control if needed, the DoE said.
How to stay cool this summer
To help stay cool, reduce energy usage and maximize energy efficiency during hot weather, DTE Energy, Consumer Reports and Consumers Energy offer these tips:
Find an air conditioner unit on Amazon
What can I do to maintain my air conditioner?
USA Today contributed reporting.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Tempted to turn AC down to lowest setting? What to do instead
Reporting by Jalen Williams, USA TODAY NETWORK / Detroit Free Press
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By Jalen Williams, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
