Louisiana Homeowners Are Debating This Summer Thermostat Setting

KNGT | Louisiana — What Should You Keep Your Thermostat Set On During a Louisiana Summer? Apparently Not What I Do... I ran across something the other day that made me laugh out loud.

According to the folks over at Trane and the U.S. Department of Energy, the "ideal" thermostat setting during the summer is 78 degrees. SEVENTY-EIGHT!!! Let that sink in for a minute.

Now maybe it's just me, but if my thermostat ever hit 78 degrees in the middle of a Southwest Louisiana summer, I'd be checking to see if the AC broke. I showed that number to my wife Laura and just shook my head. Around our house, we keep it closer to 68 degrees. We like it cold. Real cold. The kind of cold where you need a blanket to watch TV in July. Apparently we're doing it wrong.

What should I keep my thermostat set to?

The experts say keeping your thermostat at 78 can help save money on your electric bill. In fact, they say every degree above 72 degrees can save up to 3% on cooling costs. Now I'll be honest. Saving money sounds great. But so does not sweating while sitting on the couch.

Anybody else remember growing up in Southwest Louisiana before everybody had fancy smart thermostats? My grandparents had window units and fans running nonstop. You'd hear that AC humming all summer long while somebody was cooking a gumbo or frying fish in the kitchen. Back then if the house got too warm, somebody was gonna complain. Not much has changed.

The Trane website says if 78 feels too warm, try raising your thermostat a degree or two at a time until you find what works for your family. They also point out that humidity plays a huge role in how hot your house feels. Now that part makes sense. Because down here in Louisiana, it ain't just the heat. It's the humidity. You can walk outside at 7 in the morning and feel like somebody wrapped you in a wet blanket.

The experts also say when you're away from home, you should bump the thermostat up about 7 to 10 degrees. If you're at work, running errands, volunteering, or headed out on vacation, letting the house warm up a little can save money. Just don't turn it up too high. They recommend keeping it below 80 to 85 degrees so your AC still runs enough to pull moisture out of the air and help prevent mold. And that's something every Louisiana homeowner understands.

So now I'm curious. Am I the crazy one for keeping mine at 68? Or are y'all really walking around your house comfortable at 78 degrees? Because if that's true, I may need to get my blood pressure checked.

What's your thermostat set on right now?

Summer Items You Should Buy At Dollar General Before They Sell Out

With the kids out of school, we are always looking for things to do to keep them occupied. We have found a list of items that you HAVE to grab at your local DG in order to help keep them busy, or maybe even just because it's a bargain.

Gallery Credit: Chaston Tavares