As the summer heat wave continues, many are looking for ways to save energy and money on their air conditioning bills. According to experts, setting the thermostat a few degrees higher than normal while away from home can make a significant difference. This approach can help balance energy efficiency with comfort and humidity.

Thermostat Settings

Adjusting the thermostat by 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit for eight hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Elizabeth Hewitt, a professor and urban planning expert at Stony Brook University, notes 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, like eight hours, can lead to energy and cost savings.

Patrick Phelan, a mechanical engineering professor at Arizona State University, suggests that bumping up the thermostat by 1 degree Fahrenheit can result in about a 3% savings in cooling costs. Additionally, using smart thermostats can help remove the mental burden of adjusting the thermostat multiple times a day, as they can learn to raise the temperature when no one is home and lower it when people return.

Other Energy-Saving Strategies

Experts also recommend simple steps like blocking sunlight to keep homes cool. Closing blinds, using tinted window films, and opening windows at night when it’s cooler can make a significant difference. Furthermore, using cheap foam spray insulation in open windows or drafty areas can help retain the indoor temperature.

Gregor Henze, an architectural engineering professor at the University of Colorado Boulder, notes that the type of home and its insulation can impact energy efficiency. Homes built with heavy materials like concrete or brick hold in cool air longer, while older, draftier houses heat up faster. In less insulated homes, adjusting the thermostat even for short periods can help save energy.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.