While the hottest days of summer appear to be largely behind, a heat dome that roiled the West appears to be aiming for the Mississippi Valley, the mid-Atlantic and the Southeast, heading into Labor Day weekend, according to forecasters.
AccuWeather forecasts that daytime highs in those regions will hit as much as 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit above historical averages through the opening days of September. Temperatures are predicted to creep near 100 degrees Fahrenheit in Raleigh and St. Louis while Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Atlanta and DC could see highs in the 90s, AccuWeather said.
The forecaster predicts heat waves for Chicago, Philadelphia and Raleigh heading into Labor Day weekend.
A final blast of heat will leave some arguing about where to set the thermostat for the long weekend.
Energy providers have their suggested home temperature, and the Department of Energy suggests keeping things comfortable. However, recent consumer surveys show that the average American home is much colder than what officials suggest.
Here’s what you need to know about where Americans set their air conditioning and where they should.
Where Americans Set Their Thermostats
A 2021 Consumer Reports national survey found the average temperature Americans set their thermostats to is about 71 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day.
The respondents’ preferred temperature varies slightly by region, with Americans living in the South reporting that they set their thermostats to 72 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, while those in the Northeast set theirs to 70 degrees, the survey found.
Sleep wellness brand Bear Mattress found that the country’s “ideal sleep temperature” is 67 degrees, in a sleep study released July 8.
“It’s the temperature most Americans say helps them fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer,” Bear Mattress said in an Aug. 4 news release. More than 2,000 adults across all 50 states participated in the research, Bear Mattress said.
What Temperature Should You Set Your Thermostat To?
Several energy companies across the nation recommend 78 degrees Fahrenheit, though the ideal temperature may vary depending on where one lives. Among those recommending 78 degrees Fahrenheit are Chicago’s Constellation, New York and Massachusetts’ National Grid and Florida’s Carrier.
The Department of Energy recommends keeping indoor temperatures comfortable, at a level that provides humidity control, while keeping the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures low to save money.
The suggestion appears to fall on deaf ears, as not a single respondent in the Consumer Reports survey with central air conditioning indicated they set the temperature above 76 degrees Fahrenheit during summer.
Reporting by James Powel and Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY / USA TODAY. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.
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