In Texas, this thermostat setting will save the most money while still keeping you cool

Brayden Garcia
·3 min read
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Summertime in Texas can not only be troublesome on the body, but the wallet as well.

North Texas is in for a scorcher this week, with the forecast showing multiple days over 100 degrees. The heat index will get up anywhere from 105 to 110 degrees this week, per the National Weather Service.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, has assured Texans that the power grid will have enough reserves to avoid rolling blackouts this summer. Even with ERCOT releasing two weather watches earlier in June and a conservation watch, the grid has stayed on and kept Texans cool.

Normal conditions exist for the Texas power grid as of Tuesday afternoon.

As the days heat up, Texans will turn up their air condition use and with that comes a bigger electric bill. Here’s a few tips on saving energy costs while still keeping cool:

What should my thermostat be set on during the summer?

The Public Utility Commission of Texas states that people should set their thermostat at 78 degrees or higher during the summer months. But when leaving the house, they should set the temperature at 80 degrees or higher.

While that temperature may seem high for many Texans, the PUC has shared a few other tips for keeping the house cool this summer:

  • Use ceiling and portable fans to circulate cool air around the house.

  • Installing patio covers, awnings and solar window screens can help shade the home from the sun.

  • Close interior drapes, shades and blinds to block the sun out.

  • Shade outside air condition units and condensers.

  • Save energy-generating activities such as laundry, cooking and dishwashing for early morning or evening hours.

What eats up the most electricity in your home?

Knowing what runs up your electrical bill could help save you a few bucks as the summer rolls on.

  1. Air condition and heating — The top electricity user in the household, making up about 46% of average electricity consumption.

  2. Water heater — Water heaters are used in cooking, bathing and cleaning, accounting for about 14% of a home’s energy use.

  3. Appliances — Major appliances such as refrigerators, washers, dryers and ovens make up about 13% of an average household’s energy use.

  4. Lighting — The sheer number of light bulbs in a house and their usage make up about 9% of energy consumption in an average home.

  5. Home media electronics — Televisions and video game consoles aren’t huge energy consumers, but still take up to 4% of a home’s average energy use.

What energy tips can I use around the house to save money?

From lighting to appliances, there’s a few things every Texan can do to let their wallet breathe, according to the Texas PUC:

Lighting

  • Replace incandescence bulbs with compact fluorescent.

  • Turn lights off in rooms not being used.

  • Make sure bulbs do not exceed their recommended wattage.

Water heaters

  • Repair leaky facets as soon as they’re found.

  • Consider a tankless water heater that’s more efficient and won’t run out of hot water.

  • Lower the water heater’s thermostat. For each 10 degrees, you can 3-5% on energy costs.

Air conditioning

  • Clean or replace filters once a month.

  • Ensure that the HVAC system is properly sized for the home.

  • Have an HVAC expert check the unit before summer to ensure its in adequate condition.

Appliances

  • Only run dishwashers and cloth washers when they’re fully loaded.

  • Choose Energy Star appliances.

  • Unplug electronic devices that are not in use, such as chargers and small kitchen appliances.