As heat wave boils US, what is the right temperature to set AC? Cast your vote.
Experts say 78 degrees is ideal for energy efficiency, but we want to hear from you. What is the right summer AC temperature? Scroll down to take our poll.
On the first official day of summer, as the outside temperature in Phoenix climbed to a moderate 104 degrees, my partner eyed me cautiously and broached the question he knew I was dreading.
'I think it's time to lower our AC.'
I sighed. We can't, I protested. Our utility company was already sending us warning emails that our bill would 'exceed the threshold you had set' (blame the 111- and 113-degree days that preceded this). On Friday, June 20, summer had only officially begun – though we'd been in triple digit territory for the better part of two months – and we couldn't give in now, in this economy.
Besides, our thermostat was already set to the temperature experts agree is best: 78 degrees.
Which is the correct temperature.
Is 78 too hot for a house?
As the nation grapples with a major heat wave with temperatures soaring to extremes on the East Coast, Midwest and in the Plains – coupled with something I, mercifully, don't have to contend with: humidity – I wanted to know: Am I right? (Scroll down or click here to take our poll.)
Turns out, most Arizonans agree with me. An Arizona Republic reader poll found that most people preferred 78, with 80, 77 and 76 degrees rounding out the top four. My very unofficial research in my group chats of former and current Phoenicians found the same thing – though I am immensely jealous of a friend in San Diego who 'hardly uses' it. This aligns with what the Environmental Protection Agency recommends to maximize efficiency and save money.
But outside of Arizona, answers have varied wildly. Colleagues have bravely admitted they set it at 74 and even 73 degrees. When discussing this column, my editor confessed he used to keep his AC at an icy 68 degrees. The bill would be well past $200, he said. (I didn't have the heart to admit ours was well past that now.) While all of those sound like a nice reprieve from the outside temps – and some downright frigid – none of them seem 'right' to me.
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What is the best temperature to set your AC? Vote below.
So I want to know what you do. What is the ideal temperature to set your AC to – for comfort or for energy efficiency? If you don't have AC, what methods do you use to stay cool amid record-setting heat waves like this one? Do you think we've reached the point where everyone should have AC, or can we survive without it?
Cast your vote in our poll below – and stay cool out there.
Janessa Hilliard is the director of audience for USA TODAY Opinion and Opinion at Gannett.
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USA Today
7 hours ago
- USA Today
As heat wave boils US, what is the right temperature to set AC? Cast your vote.
Experts say 78 degrees is ideal for energy efficiency, but we want to hear from you. What is the right summer AC temperature? Scroll down to take our poll. On the first official day of summer, as the outside temperature in Phoenix climbed to a moderate 104 degrees, my partner eyed me cautiously and broached the question he knew I was dreading. 'I think it's time to lower our AC.' I sighed. We can't, I protested. Our utility company was already sending us warning emails that our bill would 'exceed the threshold you had set' (blame the 111- and 113-degree days that preceded this). On Friday, June 20, summer had only officially begun – though we'd been in triple digit territory for the better part of two months – and we couldn't give in now, in this economy. Besides, our thermostat was already set to the temperature experts agree is best: 78 degrees. Which is the correct temperature. Is 78 too hot for a house? As the nation grapples with a major heat wave with temperatures soaring to extremes on the East Coast, Midwest and in the Plains – coupled with something I, mercifully, don't have to contend with: humidity – I wanted to know: Am I right? (Scroll down or click here to take our poll.) Turns out, most Arizonans agree with me. An Arizona Republic reader poll found that most people preferred 78, with 80, 77 and 76 degrees rounding out the top four. My very unofficial research in my group chats of former and current Phoenicians found the same thing – though I am immensely jealous of a friend in San Diego who 'hardly uses' it. This aligns with what the Environmental Protection Agency recommends to maximize efficiency and save money. But outside of Arizona, answers have varied wildly. Colleagues have bravely admitted they set it at 74 and even 73 degrees. When discussing this column, my editor confessed he used to keep his AC at an icy 68 degrees. The bill would be well past $200, he said. (I didn't have the heart to admit ours was well past that now.) While all of those sound like a nice reprieve from the outside temps – and some downright frigid – none of them seem 'right' to me. Was Trump wrong to bomb Iran? Are you concerned about war? Tell us. | Opinion Forum What is the best temperature to set your AC? Vote below. So I want to know what you do. What is the ideal temperature to set your AC to – for comfort or for energy efficiency? If you don't have AC, what methods do you use to stay cool amid record-setting heat waves like this one? Do you think we've reached the point where everyone should have AC, or can we survive without it? Cast your vote in our poll below – and stay cool out there. Janessa Hilliard is the director of audience for USA TODAY Opinion and Opinion at Gannett.
USA Today
11 hours ago
- USA Today
Is the heat wave over yet? Do these things until the heat breaks.
A major heat wave will persist through the end of the week in some areas of the country. Here's what to do while the temperatures remain high. Forecasters predict the worst of a record-setting heat wave may soon be over — but millions still need to take precautions to stay safe from dangerous heat. The most significant heat conditions are expected to continue across the Mid-Atlantic through Thursday, June 26 and the eastern Ohio Valley into Friday, June 27, according to the National Weather Service. AccuWeather meteorologists said extreme heat may begin to subside Wednesday, June 25, in New England, the Upper Midwest and the Plains, with temperatures dropping into the 70s and 80s. For those still experiencing the oppressive heat, here's some tips for how to find your own bit of relief. Save energy but keep your home cool The balance between staying cool and keeping energy costs low can be tricky amid a heat wave, when sitting in front of a blasting air conditioner is oh-so-appealing. The Environmental Protection Agency's energy-efficiency program Energy Star recommends setting the thermostat to 78 degrees when you wake up during summer months to maximize efficiency. Michael Webber, a professor of engineering who studies energy at University of Texas at Austin, said pre-cooling your home by running the air conditioning more in the morning and evening, and less in the afternoon when temperatures are at their peak can go a long way, too. 'Picking the right temperature and cooling your house at the best times, these are things you can do for free essentially,' to stay comfortable and save on energy costs, Webber said. Portable electric fans can also help make a room feel cooler, but the National Weather Service recommends pointing them away from yourself when the room temperature is higher than 90 degrees. The dry blowing air can lead to dehydration, the agency says. If you don't have air conditioning, or if it isn't working, libraries, shopping malls, grocery stores and public cooling centers can also offer relief from scorching temperatures. Pay attention to your hydration You might want to think twice before ordering that large iced coffee – or margarita pitcher. Hydration is the name of the game during a heat wave and Betsy Koickel, chief medical officer at GoHealth Urgent Care, said 'excessive alcohol or caffeine intake can increase the risk of dehydration.' The American Red Cross said the average person should drink about three-fourths a gallon of water a day. Koickel recommended drinking water before you feel thirsty and replenishing with electrolyte replacements, such as Gatorade, especially if you plan to exercise or sit outside for extended periods. Consistent water intake may be particularly important for people taking medications that can cause dehydration, including some blood pressure drugs, antidepressants and antibiotics. She also said easy-to-digest foods, like fruits and salads, can help with hydration. If you need to wander outside, you can protect your skin by frequently reapplying sunscreen, wearing a loose, brimmed hat and choosing light-colored clothing. Be careful about what you wear The EPA recommends avoiding direct exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are the strongest and taking frequent breaks in the shade to cool off. Remember the symptoms of heat exhaustion In extreme cases, intense heat can lead to sickness as your body struggles to regulate its temperature. Early symptoms of heat injury, including thirst, lightheadedness or a headache, may develop if you don't properly hydrate, Koickel said. Dark-colored or foul-smelling urine may be another sign of severe dehydration. 'If you don't take steps to rehydrate at that point, it can lead to heat exhaustion. You could faint. You could start to experience some severe muscle cramps, excessive sweating, and then if that's not taken care of, it can eventually lead to heat stroke.' Heat stroke can occur when someone's body temperature reaches 100.4 degrees. If heat illness reaches that point, she recommended calling 911 or finding immediate medical attention. Heat stroke vs heat exhaustion: How to spot the difference and how to treat Contributing: Doyle Rice and Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY
Newsweek
12 hours ago
- Newsweek
Americans Told to Avoid Exercise in 6 States
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Millions of Americans in the Northeast are being advised to avoid strenuous physical activity outdoors due to unhealthy air conditions across six states. Air quality alerts have been issued for parts of New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Pennsylvania on Wednesday, with pollution levels expected to exceed safe thresholds. Why It Matters According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ozone exposure can irritate the respiratory system, leading to coughing, throat discomfort, and pain during deep breathing. It can inflame and damage the airways, increase vulnerability to infections, and worsen existing lung conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Even healthy individuals may experience symptoms, but those with lung diseases are at greater risk of more severe health impacts, the EPA said. A man cools his head amid soaring temperatures in New York on Tuesday. A man cools his head amid soaring temperatures in New York on Tuesday. Liao Pan/China News Service/VCG/AP What To Know In New York, the Department of Environmental Conservation issued advisories for nine counties, including New York, Bronx, Kings, Queens, Richmond, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Rockland. "When pollution levels are elevated, the New York State Department of Health recommends that individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity to reduce the risk of adverse health effects," the advisory stated. "People who may be especially sensitive to the effects of elevated levels of pollutants include the very young, and those with preexisting respiratory problems such as asthma or heart disease." Connecticut's Department of Energy and Environmental Protection issued a similar warning for southern parts of the state, including Fairfield, Middlesex, New London, and New Haven counties. An air quality alert was also published by the National Weather Service (NWS) for northeast Maryland, as well as the Baltimore City metro area and the Annapolis region. Additional air quality alerts are in effect for parts of Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Cities impacted by these alerts include the Philadelphia metro area, Narragansett, Westerly, Newport, and New Shoreham. In New Jersey, the southwestern region of the state, as well as Middlesex, Mercer, Monmouth, Ocean, Bergen, Passaic, Hudson, Essex, and Union counties are affected. What People Are Saying AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham told Newsweek previously: "Ozone is a secondary pollutant, meaning it's not emitted directly from sources, but is formed through chemical reactions. These reactions require sunlight and higher temperatures, making warmer months more prone to ozone formation. When air is stagnant, pollutants don't get dispersed, allowing ozone to build up to unhealthy levels. "Ozone pollution is often more severe in urban areas where there are higher concentrations of pollutants from sources like cars, power plants, and industrial activities." Jonathan Grigg, professor of pediatric respiratory and environmental medicine at Queen Mary, University of London, told Newsweek previously that there are"very clear links" between inhaling particles and earlier death from both respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. He added: "There are vulnerable groups and classically they are children because they've got an extra issue to do with their lungs developing, whereas our lungs are not developing as adults." What Happens Next The current air quality alerts are currently set to remain in effect until 11 p.m. on Wednesday. The NWS issues regular forecast updates on its website.
