BIRMINGHAM, AL —
We support you on this First Alert Weather Day by providing advice on how to set your home’s thermostat to stay cool while saving as much money as possible.
Everyone wants to walk inside their cool home after spending time outside this week in these oppressive weather. Naturally, depending on who you ask, the definitions of “nice” and “cool” vary, but are you aware of the 20-degree rule?
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According to Anthony Cook of Alabama Power, the rule is predicated on industry norms about the typical design of air conditioners.
Image – CNET
According to him, the temperature inside your house will normally drop by 20 degrees from the outside temperature. This means that if it’s 100 degrees outside, most homes will only cool down to 80 degrees.
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Thus, bear this in mind when you adjust your thermostat, whether you’re at home or not.
Cook advises lowering the temperature on your thermostat, but in all honesty, it might not make much of a difference and you’ll wind up spending more money overall.
“What it’s going to do is keep running to try to get the temperature where you set it, but it really won’t get it over 20 degrees, so you’re about to waste money and energy on it.”
Of course, your air conditioner will have to work more in the hotter months. Additional advice from Alabama Power includes turning on the fans in your house to maintain air circulation and replacing your air filters frequently, both of which will help your unit operate at its best.