When New York gets hot, it's easy to want the AC blasting.
For anyone trying to stay comfortable without sending power costs higher, 78 degrees is the key number. A shift that small can still matter, especially when the air conditioner is running for long stretches.
What's happening?
Energy guidance from utilities and the federal government points to 78 degrees as a practical summer setting. As lohud reported, companies serving New York, including Rochester Gas and Electric and National Grid, cite that benchmark along with Department of Energy advice to keep indoor temperatures comfortable, control humidity, and avoid too large a gap between outdoor and indoor conditions.
RG&E says each degree above 75 can save 3% of the energy used for cooling, and the Department of Energy says keeping a home notably warmer for roughly eight daytime hours while you're away can trim annual cooling and heating costs by up to 10%.
If you're looking beyond thermostat tweaks, upgrading your heating and cooling system can be one of the best ways to lower utility bills and protect yourself from rising energy prices. Through its heat pump marketplace, EnergySage can help you compare efficient HVAC options, understand what works for your home, and connect with trusted installers.
Why does it matter?
For many households, air conditioning is one of summer's biggest energy expenses, so the number on the thermostat can directly affect monthly utility bills. If a home is routinely cooled below 78 degrees, even a modest increase can reduce energy use.
Energy Star guidance says bumping the thermostat up by 2 degrees while using a ceiling fan may reduce air conditioning costs by as much as 14%.
When households use less electricity during especially hot periods, it eases strain on the grid at times of peak demand.
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That can help limit reliance on the most expensive and polluting power sources while also reducing the likelihood of price spikes showing up on utility bills.
What can I do?
Fans and window coverings can make it easier to live with a higher thermostat setting. Keep your thermostat at 78 when you're home, set it warmer when you're out, run ceiling fans only in occupied rooms, and close blinds and curtains to block sunlight. The Department of Energy says snug cellular shades may block as much as 60% of solar heat, while white-plastic-backed curtains can lower summer heat gain by about 33%.
You can also help your existing system work better by vacuuming air intake vents, keeping furniture away from registers, and sealing leaks around windows, doors, outlets, baseboards, and light fixtures. Avoid putting lamps or electronics near your thermostat, since the extra heat can trick your AC into running longer than necessary.
If you're ready to make a bigger change, EnergySage can help you explore efficient heating and cooling upgrades. If you're not ready to spend up front, Palmetto offers a $0-down HVAC leasing program that can lower your energy costs by up to 50%. Palmetto's HVAC leases start as low as $99/month and include 12 years of free maintenance.
At a lower price point, Merino makes single-room ultra-efficient HVACs for targeted heating and cooling that can be installed in under an hour. And if you want to cut utility costs even further, pairing solar panels with efficient electric appliances can help. EnergySage can help you find the best solar system and installer for your home and budget, saving you up to $10,000 on installations.
As lohud noted, the goal is to keep your home "comfortable, at a level that provides humidity control" without paying to overcool it.
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