Through Friday, the Kansas City region was in for a punishing stretch of summer weather, with “feels-like” temperatures expected to reach between 100 and 110 degrees.
In conditions like that, many people instinctively head for the thermostat. But turning the air conditioner far below a normal setting can raise cooling costs without making the home cool down any sooner.
What’s happening?
According to KCTV, the Kansas City area was under an extreme heat warning until the end of Friday. Actual highs were expected in the 90s, while afternoon heat index values could climb as high as 110 degrees.
The U.S. Department of Energy says one costly mistake is setting the thermostat much colder than usual when you first switch on the air conditioner. According to the agency, that move “will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.”…