Will setting my AC to 78 degrees save money in California heat? We asked experts
With California bracing for a hotter-than-usual summer, air conditioners are gearing up to start working overtime.
What are the best ways to cool your home efficiently without breaking the bank?
Can setting your thermostat to 78 degrees really cut costs?
The Sacramento Bee reached out to energy experts to find out the answer:
Does setting my thermostat to 78 degrees actually save me money?
Setting your thermostat to 78 degrees during hot weather is a smart way to save money, according to Deione Brown, owner of Capital City Comfort, a Sacramento heating, cooling and ventilation company.
Keeping your home between 75 and 78 degrees can help your air conditioning system work more efficiently and cut down energy costs, Brown previously told The Sacramento Bee.
Both Pacific Gas and Electric and the Sacramento Municipal Utility District also recommend 78 degrees as the ideal indoor temperature during summer.
SMUD advises customers to set their thermostats to at least 78 degrees in the summer and 68 degrees in the winter.
The community-owned utility district said customers will “save around 5% to 10% on cooling costs for every two degrees you raise the temperature.”
PG&E shared similar tips for saving energy and lowering cooling costs.
“When it is 110 degrees outside, your unit is working very hard to achieve 78 degrees inside, especially when compared to a 90-degree day,” PG&E wrote on its site.
Should I use fans instead of running my air conditioner?
Using fans to cool your home is more cost-effective than running the AC, SMUD spokeswoman Lindsay VanLaningham previously told The Bee.
“Fans keep air circulating, allowing you to raise the thermostat a few degrees and stay just as comfortable, while reducing your air conditioning costs,” PG&E said.
Will cleaning or changing my HVAC filters help?
Regularly changing or cleaning your HVAC filters every month during peak cooling or heating seasons can help lower your monthly energy bills, according to SMUD and PG&E.
“Dirty filters cost more to use, overwork the equipment, and result in lower indoor air quality,” SMUD said on its website.
Additionally, cleaning or replacing your filters monthly will “improve energy efficiency and reduce costs,” PG&E said.
What are best ways to lower summer energy bills?
According to PG&E and SMUD, the best ways to keep electricity costs down and save money on energy bills include blocking direct sunlight into your home.
SMUD recommends shades and blinds to keep direct sunlight from getting in.
This can make it easier for your air conditioner to cool your home.
“Sunlight passing through windows heats your home and makes your air conditioner work harder,” PG&E said.
Here are more energy-saving tips from SMUD:
- Keep air vents clear so your system can work efficiently.
- Seal air leaks by replacing old caulking and adding weatherstripping around windows and doors.
- Check insulation and replace any that’s damaged to help keep cool air inside.
- Inspect your equipment often to make sure everything’s working properly.
This story was originally published May 30, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Will setting my AC to 78 degrees save money in California heat? We asked experts."
