AC units can be lifesaving, but there are other tips to keep homes cool.
Heat wave to impact 170 million people in Midwest and Northeast
Meteorologists are warning of a dangerous heat wave that is going to grip the Midwest and Northeast regions of the U.S. this weekend.
Millions of Americans are facing hot, humid temperatures at the start of summer.
Across the Midwest and Northeast, over 40 million Americans are under extreme heat watches on June 20. Some states could reach into the 100s with high humidity. New York and Washington, D.C., could see temperatures surpass 90 degrees for up to a week.
For people with air-conditioning, window units and central air will be humming for days on end. While staying safe and staying cool is paramount, people must also balance their bills.
Here are tips to efficiently cool homes at the start of a scorching summer.
What’s the best temperature to set AC?
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 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.
When sleeping, ideally when outdoor temperatures drop, people can set temperatures 4 degrees warmer.
Thermostats that are programmable can regulate these temperatures, according to Energy Star. Meanwhile, installing thermostats further from areas that receive cool or heat, like a window with an AC unit that takes in sunlight, can help regulate temperatures.
What about when I’m away?
The energy department says keeping a house warmer when you’re away can avert unnecessary energy use.Â
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.
Other ways to stay cool
- Windows cause significant unwanted heat, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Add window curtains.
- Check and seal air leaks around baseboards, windows, doors, light fixtures with appropriate caulking or weather stripping.
- Cut down on heat-producing appliances like stoves or ovens.
- Fans to help circulate air, though don’t use this as a sole cooling device. This can give a false sense of comfort with air flow that’s still hot or humid, since it won’t reduce body temperature or prevent heat-related illness. Turn off ceiling fans when you leave a room.
Climate and AC
More people are using air conditioning in the country, EPA data suggests. That’s in part because we experience more hot days due to a warming climate.
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci and Greta Cross, USA TODAY; Steven Howe, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle; Jordan Green, Memphis Commercial Appeal; Greg Giesen, Delaware News Journal; and Manahil Ahmad, The Bergen Record.
