How Cool Should You Keep Your Home?
Sticky southern summers mean high home energy bills. So what’s the ideal setting on your thermostat that will keep you cool without costing a lot? Just last month, Consumer Reports released their…
George Frey/Getty Images
George Frey/Getty ImagesSticky southern summers mean high home energy bills. So what's the ideal setting on your thermostat that will keep you cool without costing a lot?
Just last month, Consumer Reports released their A/C recommendations to help cut down energy usage and expenses. According to the magazine, the coolest you should keep your house is 78 degrees when you're home.
The U.S. Department of Energy agrees that 78 degrees is the optimal temperature and adds that fans cool people, not whole rooms. In other words, don't leave fans on after you've left a room.
Here are the Energy Star guidelines for setting your thermostat:
- 78° F when you’re home
- 85° F when you’re at work or away
- 82° F when you’re sleeping
I'll try it but I can already hear the complaints from my family.
Ian Waldie/Getty Images
Phil HarrisEditor
Phil Harris is 50% of "Phil & Mel in the Afternoon" on K104.7. He has been with the station since 2013 and on the air in Charlotte since 2000. Before coming to the Queen City, Phil worked for radio stations in Pittsburgh, Austin, and Seattle. In addition to the weekly "Throwback Threesome" music video feature, Phil writes about things that matter to Charlotte sports fans and pet owners. He happens to be both.
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