There’s nothing like a hot summer to get your blood boiling. However, a debate about how to set your thermostat will also do the trick.
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Last summer, rainforestplumbingandac (@rainforestplumbingandac) sparked a heated discussion on TikTok with a recommendation for finding your air conditioning sweet spot.
@rainforestplumbingandac Responding to @Sheatta Buffet Finding your vacation AC sweet spot! .
The Phoenix-based expert said turning on the AC while you’re at work can save money, but you pay it back immediately by asking the unit to cool your home when you get home.
He compared it to a vacation of several days or weeks.
“Setting your thermostat to a higher temperature will save you money,” he said. “The closer the indoor temperature is to the outdoor temperature, the less your air conditioner will have to run. One thing you want to avoid is making your home too hot.”
Turning off the AC can not only raise the temperature in your home, but also the humidity. The maker said this could affect the drywall and food in the pantry or refrigerator.
He recommended setting your thermostat 4 to 5 degrees higher than normal during the holidays.
“What you want to avoid is changing the temperature every day so that your air conditioner is always forced to cool your home down a few degrees,” he added.
How it works
Last summer was the hottest on record — with temperatures not seen in millennia — and there’s no relief in sight for Americans and others around the world this summer, so air conditioning is a hot topic.
But rising global temperatures have made AC a top priority for a while now: 2.4 billion people were on the verge of buying an air conditioner in 2022, according to a report from Sustainable Energy for All, via Bloomberg.
Unfortunately, this will only increase the polluting gases in our atmosphere, which are the source of human-caused warming – exacerbating a vicious cycle.
We need durable and fast cooling solutions.
Heat pumps, which heat and cool homes by moving hot air, are becoming more popular, in part because they reduce electricity use by up to 50%. Smart devices can also help, as can building design.
Other tricks include turning off appliances and lights, closing the curtains, and making sure your ceiling fans spin counterclockwise. Improving insulation can go a long way as well.
What people say
Each person’s situation, home and local climate is different, so each commenter had a unique opinion.
“Yes,” wrote one. “Makes conditioner last longer!”
Another said: “Try living somewhere with the time of use rates … I definitely don’t keep my AC running during peak usage rates.”
“I have a nest thermostat and when I put it on eco when I work, come home and set it way down my bill is drastically less,” said someone else.
A fourth TikToker said: “Our city recommends 78 in the summer, and I just can’t live in it. Freeze and I’ll be bad.”
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