With daytime temperatures of 90 degrees or higher, conditions inside your Modesto, CA home can quickly become unbearable. Fortunately, most locals have the benefit of fixed and highly efficient cooling systems. However, with fast-rising electricity rates, fear of overwhelming the grid, and a widespread effort to protect the natural environment, it’s important to establish a smart and modest thermostat setting this summer.
What the U.S. Department of Energy Recommends
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) asserts that 78 degrees Fahrenheit is the perfect temperature setting for the summer months. This recommendation is echoed by Energy Star, the joint program of the DOE and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to the DOE, 78 degrees is sufficient for maintaining safe, healthy conditions for residents of all ages, including infants and elderly adults.
Unfortunately, 78 degrees is about eight to 10 degrees higher than what many homeowners are used to. Some people have long histories of setting their thermostats between 68 and 70 degrees to maintain near-frosty living environments in summer. The good news is that if 78 degrees seems like an unattainable target right now, you can start by raising your temperature setting by just two to three degrees at a time. Bumping your thermostat up from 70 degrees to 73 degrees can produce a noticeable decrease in your home energy bill without dramatically impacting your home comfort.
Why Is 78 Degrees Considered the Ideal Thermostat Setting?
Seventy-eight degrees is a moderate, comfortable temperature when people experience it outdoors. In fact, most Modesto residents would consider a 78-degree summer day to be downright ideal. Experiencing 78 degrees inside your home shouldn’t feel much different. If you feel comfortable at this temperature when hiking on local trails, playing sports in a nearby park, or mowing your lawn, you should feel just as comfortable experiencing it while relaxing on your sofa or in bed. However, there are many other practical and important reasons to make 78 degrees your target thermostat setting for summer.
Minimize the Financial Burden of Summer HVAC Use
As electricity rates continue to rise, maintaining indoor temperatures of 70 degrees or lower is guaranteed to prove expensive. This is especially true during times of peak electricity use when more people are home and outside temperatures are at their highest. Maintaining an indoor temperature of 78 degrees will lower your summertime overhead and leave you with more cash to save or spend on everyday essentials.
Limit Physiological Stress
Relaxing in an environment that’s just 68 degrees Fahrenheit might feel comfortable, but it can give your system a tremendous shock when you step outside. If you decide to make a quick trip to the store or head out for any other activity, your body will have to adjust to a sudden, 20-degree change in temperature. Raising your thermostat setting limits this shock by making your indoor temperature closer to the temperature outdoors.
Reduce Strain on Your Home Cooling Equipment
Air conditioners and heat pumps must work hard to maintain 70-degree temperatures indoors when outside temperatures near triple digits. Raising thermostat settings reduces this work and prevents undue system wear. This could lead to longer equipment lifespans and fewer stress-related problems.
Minimize the Risk of Home Cooling Emergencies
Placing extreme demands on home cooling equipment and the local power grid can bode poorly for everyone. If all Modesto residents set their thermostats to 70 degrees or lower, there might not be enough power to go around. Doing your part to limit electricity demand during times of peak usage will reduce the risk of blackouts and brownouts. Given that higher temperature settings also reduce HVAC System stress, a reasonable thermostat setting can prevent a variety of performance-related cooling emergencies.
Limit Your Household’s Carbon Footprint
Many consumers are under the mistaken impression that using electric HVAC equipment eliminates their carbon footprints. Although heat pumps and air conditioners don’t create greenhouse gases (GHGs) by burning fossil fuels, producing the electricity that drives these appliances often does. Using less electricity to keep your home cool in summer will reduce these hidden emissions and keep your carbon footprint to a minimum.
What You Can Do if 78 Degrees Doesn’t Feel Cool
Setting 78 degrees as your target and gradually increasing your thermostat setting by several degrees is an effective way to acclimate to this change. However, there are many other strategies that you can use to enjoy indoor comfort at a higher temperature.
Leverage Your Ceiling Fans or Get a Whole-House Fan
Make sure that your ceiling fans are set to rotate counterclockwise during the summer months. Using ceiling fans forces a cooling breeze down and can make your home feel more comfortable at a higher temperature.
You can also invest in a whole-house fan. Whole-house fans optimize ventilation, promote higher indoor air quality, and make building interiors feel cool with limited energy use.
Keep Your HVAC Air Filter Clean
Air conditioners and heat pumps extract excess humidity during operation. Dry air feels much cooler than wet, heavy air. Dirty air filters inhibit airflow in cooling systems and can make your home feel muggy and oppressive even when your thermostat is set to just 70 degrees. Check your filter monthly and replace it every 30 to 90 days.
Wear Loose, Lightweight Clothing
When indoors, opt for loose, lightweight clothing. When possible, target clothes made from natural materials like cotton or linen. These fabrics offer excellent ventilation that helps the body cool itself. They also have natural wicking abilities so that perspiration dries rapidly and doesn’t leave you feeling clammy or sticky.
Have Your Thermostat Inspected
Make sure that your thermostat is reading your indoor temperature accurately. If this device isn’t calibrated correctly, your air conditioner might never turn on, even when your indoor temperature is 78 degrees or higher. If you’ve set your thermostat to 78 degrees but your living space is sweltering, schedule HVAC service right away.
What’s the Best Nighttime Temperature Setting?
According to the DOE, it’s also a good idea to bump your thermostat setting up to 80 degrees when you go to bed at night. With lightweight pajamas and ceiling fans, most residents won’t detect a major difference. The DOE also recommends raising your thermostat setting by seven to 10 degrees when leaving for the day. When no one is home, you don’t need to keep the building interior ultra-cool. As per the DOE, making adjustments like these can result in annual energy savings of up to 10%.
How to Stay on Top of Thermostat Adjustments
You don’t have to manually toggle your thermostat between daytime, nighttime, and away settings. As per Energy Star, you can shave as much as 8% off your yearly heating and cooling costs by investing in a programmable or smart thermostat instead. These devices can hold multiple pre-set temperature changes. They eliminate the potential for human oversight and error while offering many additional features and functions.
When Is 78 Degrees Too Hot?
It’s important to use the DOE’s recommendation for summertime thermostat settings in a way that works well for the people in your home. If infants, aging adults, or those with chronic or terminal illnesses exhibit the signs of heat-related stress, drop your thermostat setting as needed. It’s also important to pay attention to your pets. Excessive panting, restlessness, and nausea are all indications that animals are too warm. While 78 degrees is a feasible target for most, it’s not guaranteed to work well for all people or households.
We’re helping homeowners in Modesto, CA cut their carbon footprints and lower their home energy bills. You can count on us for exceptional heating, air conditioning, and duct cleaning services. We also provide solar, windows, water heaters, and whole-house fans. For help reaching your energy-saving targets, contact Loves Air today!
