Why 78 degrees isn’t the right thermostat setting for everyone during a heat wave

By: Destenie Nock, Carnegie Mellon University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: July 22, 2026

Words: 1,366

Last Updated: 4 weeks ago

By Destenie Nock, Carnegie Mellon University

Across the U.S., it’s a hot summer, and electricity prices are high. Various public officials and corporate websites suggest people set their thermostats to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25.6 degrees Celsius), or even 81 F (27.2 C), as a way to stay relatively cool without breaking the bank. But as someone who studies energy costs, I know from both personal and professional experience that it’s not that …

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