It can be a source of great contention in many households, especially as the summer months begin to swelter. So is there a magic number you should set your thermostat on to strike a perfect balance between beating the heat and not breaking the bank?
Apparently, there is.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the ideal summertime setting for your thermostat is 78 degrees. That temperature could result in significant savings on your energy bill: For every degree above 72 degrees, you could save up to 3% on the cost of cooling your home.
The report also suggests raising the temperature when you’re not home by as much as 7 to 10 degrees. If you have a smart thermostat installed, you can use an app on your phone to adjust the temperature to a cooler setting remotely so the house will be cooler when you get home.
Ceiling fans can also provide some help to your thermostat in keeping the house livable during the hottest months of the year. Make sure your fan is set to turn counter-clockwise so that it pushes cooling air downward into the room.
As much as half the costs on your energy bill could be related to keeping cool in the summer, so just a few adjustments to your A/C usage could make a big difference in how empty your bank account looks when the leaves finally start to change.