[Chris‏]

What temperature should I leave my thermostat to stay cool and save a bit of money? I’m in Maryland currently and temperatures are in the 90s.

I keep my ceiling fan running in my room.

I do have a family member renting a room upstairs.

They are running a ceiling fan and window unit which I’m fine with.

[Lisa]

If you’re puttering about at home, you can wet a tank top or undershirt and put it on. Instant cooking, almost no cost.

Repeat after it dries. (Or if you are a wearing a Tshirt or tank top, so much easier – just wet the t shirt and repeat after it dries.)

[Melissa]

We keep our thermastat at 80°F. We have a much cooler familyroom downstairs and I have a small desk fan next to my chair and ceiling fan in 2 bedrooms and kitchen.

The fans are on when we are in those areas, off when we are not.

Others say it’s warm in the house and we will adjust when they visit or go fownstairs.

90% of the time it is just us and we are used to it.

[Kara]

We have 2 units. Downstairs we keep at 70. Upstairs 70-72 during the day, 65 at night.

I’m perimenopausal and my husband sleeps hot lol.

Our downstairs stays fairly cool so even though we have had real feels this week of almost 110, it doesnt run much.

[Linda]

My thermostat is set at 72 throughout the year. I’m in Michigan.

[Aviva]

I’m in Maryland, too. I’ve got it set to 76 and the unit still never shuts off.

Thank God the heat dome broke last night.

We at least have today to breathe before it starts warming up again!

[Lynette]

For once in my life I wish I could live with people who agreed with me on the thermostat.

Growing up in Michigan my dad always made me keep it on 68 which made me freeze.

As an adult, my husband and daughter want it on 68 when I’m freezing, but when I get hot they seem to want it on 74.

[Eden]

I guess in Maryland it’s not as humid as down South. I wouldn’t be able to do much of anything if I set mine at 78. I’ll scrimp elsewhere.

If it were just up to me, I’d keep mine at 72, but my husband likes it cooler.

[Hook]

Do you have room darkening curtains? I recently put up the $5 ones in the one room that has ac and hung a curtain.

That helped.

I also only use it if it’s 85 or over and turn it off at night but I’m sure the temps will increase as summer goes

[Deb]

I’m told you should set the thermostat no more than 20° less than the temperature. We usually do 10 degrees.

What can really help is to make sure if you have blinds or Shades that they are kept closed during the day and night to help keep the cool in.

[Terri]

I’ve read that AC systems are designed to only lower temp from outside about 15 degrees. For example if it’s 90 degrees outside, the unit is only designed to cool the inside down to 75.

To set the thermostat lower than that could over work the unit and cause it to run constantly. So, I try to pay attention to the outside temp and keep the thermostat set to 75-78 and supplement with fans.

The unit is still removing humidity from the inside air and the fans keep the air circulating, keeping it comfortable if you’re dressed for summer.

I also close curtains. The basement door is closed so all the cool air doesn’t go straight down to the basement. At night I will turn it down to 71-72.

If you set to a lower temp, the air coming out of the vents isn’t any colder than when it’s set higher.

It just runs more often, or constantly trying to reach the household temp of the lower setting.

[Jacki]

Baltimore MD here. During the heat wave I bumped mine up to 76 during the day and 69 at night with fans going on main and upper level.

I have a dehumidifier running in the basement.

Installing a new attic fan this weekend ($55 for the fan).

Keep the air moving and it helps.

[Laurel]

If you have hot and cold air return air vents please remember to open the top ones and close the bottom.

We forgot to do this, and our air conditioner was struggling to keep the house at 72° (went up to 76°).

Fixed the vents and have not hah any issues.

Don’t forget to change when it gets colder.

[Author]

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