AC units can save lives, but there are other tips to keep your home cool.
Thermal waves affecting 170 million people in the Midwest and Northeast
Meteorologists warn of a dangerous heat wave this weekend that grasps the Midwest and Northeastern regions of the United States.
Millions of Americans face hot, humid temperatures at the beginning of the summer.
Over 40 million Americans received extreme heatwatches in the Midwest and Northeast on June 20th. Some states can reach the 100s if humidity is high. New York and Washington, DC were able to see temperatures above 90 degrees for up to a week.
For people with air conditioning, the window unit and central air hummize for days. Staying safe and cool is paramount, but people need to balance their bills.
Here are some tips to help you cool your home efficiently in the beginning of summer.
What is the best temperature to set up AC?
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends keeping temperatures at a comfortable and humidity-controlled level. People should also try to lower the difference in temperatures indoors and outdoors to save money.
Energy Star, an Environmental Protection Agency program that promotes energy efficiency, recommends setting AC at 78 degrees for comfort and efficiency when waking up. Energy companies, including Missouri, Maryland and Florida, recommend a 78-degree thermostat for the summer.
However, few people follow this recommendation.
According to a 2021 consumer report, people with central temperatures said they set it at 72 degrees. No respondents chose a temperature warmer than 76 degrees.
When sleeping, ideally, when outdoor temperatures drop, people can warm the temperature by 4 degrees.
According to Energy Star, a programmable thermostat can adjust these temperatures. On the other hand, installing a thermostat from a cold or heat receiving area, like a window with an AC unit exposed to sunlight, can help regulate the temperature.
What about when I’m away?
The Energy Department says keeping your home warm when you are away can avoid unnecessary energy use.
Energy Star recommends setting the temperature to 7 degrees warmer when you’re away from home. According to the Energy sector, about 8 hours a day and about 8 hours a day, you can save 10% a year.
Other ways to keep you cool
- According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, windows cause quite a bit of unnecessary heat. Add window curtains.
- Air will leak and leak around baseboards, windows, doors and lighting fixtures with proper caulking and weather stripping.
- Reduces heat production equipment such as stoves and ovens.
- The fan helps to circulate the air, but this should not be used as the sole cooling device. This can provide false comfort with airflow, as it does not lower body temperature or prevent heat-related illnesses. Turn off the ceiling fan when leaving the room.
Climate and AC
EPA data suggests that more people are using air conditioning in the country. It’s part of what we experience hotter days due to warmer climates.
Contributors: Jeanine Santucci and Greta Cross, USA Today; Stephen Howe, Rochester Democrats, Chronicle. Jordan Greene’s commercial appeal for Memphis. Greg Gisen, Delaware News Journal. Bergen’s record, Manahir Ahmad.
