A program that is backed by the US Government has made a recommendation to promote energy efficiency. They say you should keep your thermostat set between 78 and 85 degrees. The suggestion from Energy Star suggests that you keep your temperature at different levels at different times. The recommendation for optimal temperature when you wake up is 78 degrees.
The dial should be set even higher during the day at 85 degrees and when you are sleeping, 82 degrees. This isn’t only a recommendation coming from Energy Star, thermostats should be kept at 78 when you are home according to the US Department of Energy. This is explained on the Energy Department website: “Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.”
Anyone that puts my thermostat at 82 or 85 degrees with get throat punched.
https://t.co/EzZ2h0GLwJ— Katie Feldmeier (@katiefeldmeier) August 22, 2019
A report by CNN discusses how some studies show that keeping your daytime temperatures higher can improve productivity. On the other hand, keeping the temperature too warm while you are sleeping can disrupt your sleep cycle. Energy Star takes things a step further and says homeowners could see significant savings.
If thermostats are set according to the guidelines, it ould save a homeowner around $180 per year. Even though that might be true, the internet community isn’t on board with the suggestions. That is especially true when people live in hotter areas of the United States. Seth Andrews wrote: 82 degrees for sleeping??? I might as well be sleeping on the sun and Paul Gerke wrote to fellow Arizona residents, stating: Arizonans, get your angry typin’ fingers ready! Energy Star (a federal program) recommends you never set your thermostat lower than 78 degrees while you’re home. It suggests setting the temp to 85 while you’re gone, and 82 while you sleep. ARE THEY CRAZY?
Arizonans, get your angry typin’ fingers ready! Energy Star (a federal program) recommends you never set your thermostat lower than 78 degrees while you’re home. It suggests setting the temp to 85 while you’re gone, and 82 while you sleep. ARE THEY CRAZY? Sound off on #TodayinAZ! pic.twitter.com/DQ0w6mqhZl— Paul Gerke (@PaulGerke) August 20, 2019
It also seems as if the National Slep Foundation is not in line with their suggestion as well. They suggest getting a good night’s sleep with the temperature set at 65 degrees. They take a more scientific approach because your body temperature fluctuates through the day and when the temperature comes down, you tend to get sleepy.
82 degrees for sleeping??? I might as well be sleeping on the sun. https://t.co/F0jQJ9YHou— Seth Andrews (@SethAndrewsTTA) August 22, 2019
If you sleep with the temperature set too high, it could affect the natural temperature of your body and leave you feeling tired during the day. That little gem of a fact comes from research from the National Center for Biotechnology Information.
In 2012, a study shows that your slow-wave and REM sleep can decrease when you are exposed to heat. It doesn’t seem as if the stages of sleep are affected when you are exposed to the cold. You should, however, pay attention to your bedding and clothing if you are sleeping in colder climates.
Energy Star: keep your thermostat at 82 degrees while you sleep
Every sleep scientist on twitter: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO— Alexandria M. Reynolds (@cooleyam) August 22, 2019
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration suggests that those who are not at home or in the office keep the thermostat set between 68 and 76. The humidity control is also optimized between 20 and 60 percent.
The standard reads: “Office temperature and humidity conditions are generally a matter of human comfort rather than hazards that could cause death or serious physical harm.”