What’s the best thermostat setting for your AC in Georgia? Here’s what experts say
Georgia’s heat is still rising and pretty soon, we could see temperatures into the triple digits.
And while this is happening, it’s hard not to keep touching the thermostat to get the temperature just right inside your home.
Chances are, you and your family will end up fighting over the thermostat settings. Someone is always hot, while someone else is always cold. Well, let’s put an end to the disagreements by consulting the experts.
So, what is considered the best thermostat setting?
According to Georgia Power: “Set your programmable thermostat to 78°F in the summer and 68°F in the winter, for energy-efficient results.”
If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set it to automatically turn up or down without lifting a finger or having to remember.
According to Scana Energy, you can actually save 1% for each degree: “In the winter, turning your heat down 3 degrees while you sleep could save you up to 3% on your natural gas bill without ever feeling the chill,” as stated on the company’s website.
So, in the summer, if you increase the temperature by a few degrees while you’re at work during the day, you could see big savings by the end of the month.
For the best results, turn your thermostat to 86 degrees when you’re away and watch that extra money stack up.
More tips for saving energy & money
Ready for more money-saving hacks?
Get a Wi-Fi thermostat. Upgrade to a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat, available on georgiapowermarketplace.com. Residential customers may qualify for up to a $75 instant rebate on a thermostat purchase.
Change air filters. Change standard air filters once a month, or pleated filters once every three months, to help your system run more efficiently.
Make your home weather-safe. Caulk and weatherstrip around your windows and doors. If the caulking is cracked, or the weatherstripping is damaged or peeling, replace the old material.
Mind your lights. Turn off lights when they’re not in use. To help you remember, try leaving eye-catching reminders next to light switches and doorways.
Do your research. Look for an ENERGY STAR® label when purchasing new appliances and electronics to save on your energy bill.
Check out your vents. Keep air vents clear of obstruction to help your heating and cooling system operate more efficiently.
Check out more tips on Georgia Power’s website or on energy.gov.
What do you think the best thermostat setting is? Comment below to let us know
This story was originally published June 21, 2024 at 7:00 AM with the headline "What’s the best thermostat setting for your AC in Georgia? Here’s what experts say."
