The best AC temp for staying cool & saving money in Kansas this summer

Summer heat drives up energy bills across Kansas as air conditioners work overtime. Finding the right thermostat setting can help you stay comfortable without breaking the bank.

FULL STORY: What’s the best temp to set your AC at to save energy and still stay cool in KS?

Here are key takeaways:

• Evergy customers use the most electricity during summer months as air conditioners battle Midwest heat, according to a spokesperson for the utility company, which serves more than 1.7 million customers, including those in Wichita.
• U.S. households spend about $29 billion annually on air conditioning, and roughly 12% of household energy costs are tied to running AC units, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
• Many recommend setting the thermostat to 78 degrees in summer, but Evergy’s Courtney Lewis said there’s no “one-size-fits-all” number. She suggested customers looking to cut costs may raise their thermostat 3-5 degrees as long as safety allows.
• The Energy Department says you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day from its normal setting.
• Lewis said Evergy customers who use smart thermostats can save up to $145 in energy costs each year, and customers may get a free or reduced smart thermostat through Evergy’s Thermostat Program.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.