City (Lord Media): Amid scorching heat, air conditioners provide significant relief, but rising electricity bills can be concerning. Experts suggest increasing the thermostat temperature slightly instead of turning off the AC completely when leaving home. This approach saves energy and reduces the time needed to cool the house upon return.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, raising the thermostat by 4 to 6 degrees Celsius for eight hours daily can reduce annual expenses by approximately 10 percent.
Professor Elizabeth Hewitt states that turning off the AC for short absences of fifteen minutes is ineffective, but adjusting the settings for longer absences of eight hours saves both energy and money.
Experts noted that in some areas, window or flat AC units are less efficient due to warm air entering through windows. Inexpensive foam around windows can block warm air effectively.
Professor Patrick Phelan mentions that increasing the thermostat by one degree Fahrenheit can save up to 3 percent on cooling, while using smart thermostats can lead to an additional 10 percent savings.
Experts emphasize that energy-saving methods vary with climate and home structure, but adjusting the thermostat settings while away is generally effective.
