As the summer heat wave continues, many are looking for ways to stay cool while also saving energy and money. According to experts, setting the thermostat a few degrees higher than normal while away is generally the best way to balance energy efficiency against comfort and humidity.

Energy Efficiency Tips

Three experts interviewed by The Associated Press agreed that adjusting the thermostat by 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling. Elizabeth Hewitt, professor and urban planning expert at Stony Brook University, noted that turning off the AC for short periods, such as 15 minutes, may not yield significant energy savings. However, turning it off for longer periods, such as eight hours, can lead to mold problems in humid environments and wear and tear on the system.

Patrick Phelan, mechanical engineering professor at Arizona State University, suggested that bumping up the thermostat by 1 degree Fahrenheit can yield about a 3% savings in cooling costs. He also recommended using smart thermostats, which can learn a household’s schedule and adjust the temperature accordingly, to remove the mental burden of tinkering with the manual thermostat multiple times a day.

Gregor Henze, architectural engineering professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, emphasized the importance of considering the type of home and its insulation when deciding how to save energy. Homes built with heavy materials like concrete or brick hold in cool air longer, while older, draftier houses heat up faster.

In addition to adjusting the thermostat, experts recommend simple steps like blocking sunlight, opening windows at night, and using window units or smart thermostats to keep homes cool and energy-efficient.

Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.