Summer is nearly here, and parts of California — especially inland and desert areas — are already starting to feel the heat.
As temperatures climb statewide, Californians may find themselves reaching for their air conditioners for relief, a move that can quickly drive up energy bills.
Experts say that with the right thermostat settings, it’s possible to stay cool without overspending. Here’s what to know about using your AC efficiently this summer, including the best temperatures for saving energy.
The best temperature to set your air conditioner for savings
The Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR recommend “finding a comfortable indoor temperature during the day,” starting at 75-78 degrees Fahrenheit. When no one is home, that baseline temperature should be increased by 7 degrees.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company offers a similar recommendation for the summer months, saying you should keep the thermostat “set at 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher when home, health permitting.”
“Every degree above 78 represents approximately 2% savings on cooling costs,” PG&E says.
While you are sleeping, ENERGY STAR recommends raising the temperature by about 4 degrees above your daytime setting.
“You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 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 says. “The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.”
Even though you can manually adjust your thermostat, the DOE recommends using programmable thermostats “to avoid any discomfort by returning temperatures to normal before you wake or return home.”
Though it may be tempting to set your thermostat to a colder setting than normal when you turn our air conditioner, the DOE does not recommend it.
“It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and, therefore, unnecessary expense,” the DOE says.
Other tips for keeping your home cool and comfortable while saving energy
“By combining proper insulation, energy-efficient windows and doors, daylighting, shading, and ventilation, you can often keep your home cool with minimal air conditioning,” the DOE says.
The DOE provides additional tips for keeping your home cool and comfortable while also saving on energy, including:
Will it be hot in California this summer?
California is likely to see normal precipitation and hotter-than-average temperatures over the summer months, from June to August, according to the National Weather Service’s long-range forecast.
That does not rule out extreme heat events — which are common in California summers — particularly in the Central Valley, inland Southern California, and desert regions. Seasonal outlooks focus on three-month averages, not day-to-day or weeklong extremes.
When does summer officially begin?
Summer officially begins with the summer solstice on Sunday, June 21. The final day of summer will be on Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Reporting from USA TODAY NETWORK’s James Ward contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: See the optimal AC temperature settings for California’s coming heat
Reporting by Daniella Segura, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Daniella Segura, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
