Alabama Power explains how 20-degree rule impacts air conditioning

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - We’re On Your Side with how you should set the thermostat inside your home to stay cool and save as much money as possible.

After spending time outside in these brutal temperatures this week, we all want to walk inside to a nice and cool home. Of course, the terms “nice” and “cool” are different depending on who you’re asking but do you know about the 20-degree rule?

Anthony Cook with Alabama Power says that rule is based on industry-standards for the way most air conditioners are designed. He says your AC unit will typically lower the temperature in your home about 20 degrees from what the temperature is outside; Meaning, if it’s 100 degrees outside, most homes will only get down to around 80 degrees.

So when you’re setting your thermostat while you’re home or away, you’ll want to keep this in mind.

Cook says you can set your thermostat for a lower temperature but honestly, it might not help much and you’ll end up spending more money in the long run.

“What it’s going to do is it’s going to continue to run in order to try and reach the temperature of where you set it but it really won’t get it beyond that 20 degree mark and so you’re gonna be wasting energy, which in turn wastes money.”

Of course, the hotter it is outside, the harder your AC unit will need to work. Alabama Power recommends more tips like changing out your air filters often will help your unit run at peak efficiency and turning on the fans in your home to keep air circulating.

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