SAN DIEGO — Federal program Energy Star might not have been thinking of San Diegans when it made recommendations for in-home air conditioners.
Consumer Reports last month released some settings recommendations for air conditioners to help cut down energy usage and cost. Even in relatively mild areas of the U.S. that don't consistently experience long-term heat waves, energy bills can still shoot up in the summer months.
Energy Star, the federal program from the DOE and the Environmental Protection Agency, said the coolest you should keep your home is 78 degrees when you're home.
When you're at work or away, the program recommends setting it at 85 degrees. When you're sleeping, Energy Star said to set the thermostat at 82 degrees.
The U.S. Department of Energy also says to keep your home at 78 degrees while you're there. DOE also says to use ceiling fans to keep cool but to remember that fans cool people, not whole rooms.
In 2017, Fox News busted five home cooling myths, including ones about fans cooling rooms, using a bigger air conditioner and cranking down the temperature.
The outlet found that no, getting a bigger A/C won't give you better results and an air conditioner doesn't just cool the air. Turning the temperature way down to cool the house faster also doesn't work, Fox News reported.
Wouldn't it just better, fellow San Diegans, if you just opened your windows?
