It's hot again! What's the best temperature to set your thermostat in Florida?
As we rapidly approach the summer season, more and more Floridians are asking the inevitable question: what temperature should I set my thermostat on?
According to Old Farmer's Almanac, NOAA and AccuWeather forecasters, Florida is set to face another record-breaking hot summer.
Most of the U.S., including Florida, is expected to be hot and dry this summer. The forecast is for meteorological summer, which is June, July and August. South Florida, though, could see cooler, rainy conditions.
"It's going to be a scorcher of a summer," according to the Old Farmer's Almanac.
Floridians will remember the summer last year when the state suffered from the warmest (meteorological) summer on record. Florida also saw its second-warmest August on record in 2024.
So what temperature should you set your air conditioner on? Short answer: it depends. It's a decision you make based on:
What feels comfortable to you and the other people in your household
The health conditions of people in your household
How well your home is insulated and otherwise protected against heat
What other cooling methods do you use (floor fans, ceiling fans, closed curtains/shades, etc.)
How much you're willing to pay on your electric bill
The first and last ones are the most important. If you can afford it, run your a/c as low as you want. Be prepared for considerably higher bills and likely more air conditioner maintenance and repairs, although Florida Power & Light has been lowering rates lately.
FPL spokesperson Katarina Alvarez said a one-degree increase in thermostats could save between 3-5% on cooling costs. The less your a/c has to work, the lower your bill.
So set your thermostat to the highest temperature you can remain comfortable in and can afford, and look for other ways to cool off your place.
For a long time, 78 degrees has been the number everyone drops in their "stay cool" guides. Which is fine for some people, and for lizards.
When the media and electric utility companies promote 78 degrees they often refer to ENERGY STAR, a program run by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that has become synonymous with energy-efficient appliances. But ENERGY STAR doesn't recommend any specific temperature.
'ENERGY STAR does not assert that any particular temperature setting is good for households,' the EPA said in an email to The Palm Beach Post.
Turning it down a bit while you're gone can save you money, but unless you'll be gone for a week or more the work your a/c will have to do to bring the temp back down to liveable when you get home may not be worth what you save by turning it off.
Air conditioning also helps reduce humidity in your house, and that helps keep mold and mildew in check. There are also your pets to consider. Your dogs and cats don't like the heat any more than you do, and they have fewer ways to cool off.
When you're out of the house for an extended amount of time, FPL recommends setting your thermostat to 85 degrees with the fan on "auto."
Even if you're running your A/C nonstop, there are plenty of ways to give your air conditioner less to do.
Use a programmable or smart thermostat. Raise the temps to 78-82 or more while you're at work, away or during the night (if you can).
Start a fan club. Fans don't cool the air but they do make you feel better as the moving air cools your skin and helps your body evaporate sweat. Turn on your ceiling fans and put smaller fans around the place to keep your air circulating. Be sure to turn them off when you leave the room for more savings.
Change your a/c filter regularly. Easy to do, and it does wonders to help your a/c help you. Dirty or clogged filters make a/c units work harder. Don't use a heavier filter than you need. Some promise to filter out all viruses, contaminants and pet dander, but they also choke airflow and may make your a/c work harder. The government's Energy Star program suggests changing your a/c filter every three months but says if it looks dirty after a month go ahead and swap it out.
Close curtains and blinds. Keeping direct sunlight out of the house helps keep the inside from heating up.
Keep vents clear. Blocking a/c vents blocks airflow. You want airflow so the room will cool to the temp the thermostat is set at.
Check your insulation and weatherstripping. If heat is getting into the house (and cool air is getting out) your a/c has to work harder. Check the weatherstripping around windows and doors and make sure your attic is insulated.
Close doors and vents of rooms you're not using. Why pay to cool a room you don't need to? Close the vents in your guest room, utility room or any space you don't use regularly and keep the door closed. However, don't close off any rooms that connect to other rooms you do use, otherwise you'll block airflow through the area.
Cut your electric bill elsewhere. Unplug equipment and appliances that use energy even when turned off, such as TVs, air fryers and video game consoles. Turn lights off if you're not using them. Lower your water heat temp to 120. Use cold water in the washing machine. Use smaller appliances in the kitchen. Basically, everything your parents used to tell you to do. Sorry.
. A/C repair companies are busy in the summer, and if yours breaks down they might not be able to get to you right away. Keep yours in good shape before it starts to make weird noises.
ENERGY STAR recommends once a year, in the spring, but Floridians might want to go twice, especially if you live near the coast.
Your a/c needs to be repaired if it stops working (obviously), makes loud noises while running, or can't keep your house cooled to at least 78 degrees. But it might need to be replaced if it's over 10-15 years old, your energy bills have skyrocketed and you keep getting it fixed.
Change or clean the air filter every month.
Keep leaves, shrubbery and other debris at least 18 inches away from the outdoor unit to avoid blocking the airflow. Don't cover the condenser coil outside to make your house look prettier.
If you have an outdoor drain, keep it clear and unclogged.
Can't see the poll? Follow the link to vote.
WalletHub released a study last summer ranking all 50 states by how much they pay for energy sources, which surprisingly revealed that Floridians are saving more than most states regarding year-round energy costs — despite consistently being one of the hottest states each summer.
Here are WalletHub's top 10 states where the cost of energy consumption is the lowest:
New Mexico
Arizona
Kansas
Texas
Nebraska
Mississippi
Florida
Colorado
Louisiana
California
According to WalletHub's study, Wyoming is the state where energy bills cost the most each year. Residents' average monthly energy bill hits a whopping $1,591 during winter months.
Here are WalletHub's top 10 states where the cost of energy consumption is the highest:
Wyoming
North Dakota
Iowa
Montana
Minnesota
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Alaska
South Dakota
Virginia
Contributing: Lianna Norman and Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY Florida Network
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Florida summer 2025: For hot weather, keep your a/c to these settings
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