This thermostat setting can lower your summer utility bills in Pennsylvania, experts say
Though we’re just halfway through July, summer 2023 is already breaking records when it comes to sweltering heat.
Scorching summer days are expected to prompt increases in your utility bills, too, experts say. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average American’s power bill is expected to rise roughly 2% this summer from a year ago.
Though rising utility costs are often outside your control, you can take steps around the house to manage your expenses. So, if you’re hoping to lower your utility bill while staying cool in Pennsylvania this summer, here’s what you need to know.
How should I set my thermostat this summer?
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission recommends programming your thermostat at about 78 degrees while you’re at home during hot and humid summer months. When you’re out, consider raising that setting to up to 85 degrees to save even more.
According to the commission’s experts, every degree lowered or raised through your thermostat can affect energy costs by up to 3%. Your summer energy bills will generally decrease if the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures is small.
The utility commission encourages homeowners to invest in programmable thermostats if they find it difficult to stick with a routine. These devices could help raise or lower temperatures at set times during the day, which might be a preferable option for parents and working adults.
How else can I stay cool on hot days?
Warmer indoor temperatures might be undesirable on particularly hot days, but there are plenty of ways to stay cool that don’t require lowering your thermostat.
Here are a few recommendations from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission:
- Clean and replace air conditioner filters regularly to keep air circulation paths clear.
- Turn off nonessential appliances and lights when possible.
- Close off unused rooms and adjust your home’s air vents and thermostats to avoid unnecessary cooling expenses.
- Seal cracks and openings to prevent warm air from getting inside.
Additionally, you might consider trying the following suggestions to stay cool without spiking your utility bill:
- Fan yourself or turn on an electric fan or ceiling fan to circulate indoor air.
- Spend time in rooms that do not receive direct sunlight.
- Use window blinds and coverings while the sun is out to reduce unwanted heat buildup indoors.
- Try to use heat-producing appliances while it’s cooler outside in the morning or evening. These appliances include dryers, dishwashers and stoves.
- Consider cooking outdoors on your grill or using a microwave. Stoves and ovens typically add indoor heat.
How else can I save money around the house?
Your utility bill comprises far more than your thermostat and air conditioner. Savings are available through changes to your water heater, light fixtures, appliances and more, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission says:
Sealing your home
- Seal air leaks in your home. These are commonly found around plumbing and wiring, near windows and doors and where walls meet ceilings. Even a quarter-inch gap at the base of a yardwide door can leak as much air as a 3-inch hole in the wall, the commission writes.
- Weather-strip your doors and windows to prevent drafts or consider installing storm windows and doors. A lack of adequate weather-stripping can cost around $50 in lost energy, commission experts say.
- Before weather-stripping your home, be sure to check for air leaks and assess your ventilation needs.
Heating and cooling
- Lowering your water heater’s temperature to 120 degrees can prompt “significant savings,” the utility commission writes. Most manufacturers set water heater thermostats at roughly 140 degrees.
- Don’t place furniture over heating and cooling vents. This can block airflow and force your heating and air conditioning systems to work harder.
Appliances
- Use your dryer’s automatic cycle. Drying more than needed can waste energy and wear out your clothes.
- Clean your dryer’s exhaust fan regularly and remove lint after each load.
- Wash only full loads in washers and dryers to limit hot water use.
- Wash clothes in cold water to reduce your energy bill and stop your clothes from shrinking and fading.
For more information on lowering your utility bills, check out tips and guides from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission online at puc.pa.gov and papowerswitch.com.
Need help paying your utility bills?
Assistance programs are available for Pennsylvanians struggling to pay their bills.
To find help in your neck of the woods, visit pa211.org/get-help/utilities. There, you’ll find search tools to connect you with local service providers. Payment assistance programs, for example, are available for several categories, including electric, gas, heating, internet, telephone, water and even utility bill mediation.
Additional utility resources, including payment plans, low-income assistance programs and certain consumer protections, are available online at pa211.org/utilities.
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