What’s the best thermostat setting to save money, stay cool in WA over summer?
Last year, U.S. households consumed more electricity in July than any other month, according to U.S. Energy Information data.
That trend doesn’t hold across all states, and some that have cooler summers, including Washington, tend to use more electricity in the winter. But hot summer days can still drive up energy costs.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, changing your thermostat setting by between seven and ten degrees for eight hours a day can cut 10% off of your energy bill.
So what temperature should Washington residents set their thermostats to over the summer?
What’s the ideal summer thermostat setting in WA?
According to the Department of Energy, the best approach on hot summer days is to set your thermostat “as high as is comfortable for you when you are at home,” and a higher-than-comfortable setting while you’re away.
But what exact temperature should you set your thermostat at? According to a separate Department of Energy post, it depends on the weather each day. As a general rule, the closer your thermostat setting is to the temperature outside, the more you’ll save on your energy bill, according to the post.
Several energy companies list the ideal summer thermostat setting at 78 degrees, according to USA Today. Energy Star, a federal energy efficiency program, recommends setting your cooling to kick in at 78 degrees as well to save energy.
But what if you live in an area where it doesn’t reach 78 degrees as often?
Puget Sound Energy, which provides electricity to over a million customers in western Washington, recommends that customers set their thermostats at 72 degrees during the summer, a company spokesperson told McClatchy in an email.
Tips to lower your energy bill
The Department of Energy suggests a few other ways to save on your energy bill during the warmer months:
Install energy-efficient window coverings.
Don’t set your thermostat to a lower-than-normal temperature in an attempt to get it to cool faster.
Turn off fans when you leave the room.
Use the bathroom fan to avoid additional humidity after a shower.
Don’t put a lamp or TV near a thermostat since it can detect the heat from the appliances.
Clean air vents and maintain cooling systems.