What’s the best thermostat setting in NC to stay cool & save money this summer?

North Carolina is in store for another toasty summer and as the temperatures go up, it’s likely your energy bill will too.

According to the National Weather Service, there’s an increased likelihood of above normal temperatures this summer across the state. But there are a few things you can do to keep your home cool while saving money.

Best thermostat temperature in summer

The “best” thermostat setting is subjective depending on the climate and your comfort level, the U.S. Department of Energy says. But you can save up to 10% a year by turning your thermostat up to 10 degrees for eight hours a day from its normal setting, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.

“The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you’re awake and setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home,” the department’s website says.

“In the summer, you can follow the same strategy with central air conditioning by keeping your house warmer than normal when you are away, and setting the thermostat to a setting as high as is comfortable for you when you are at home and need cooling and to ensure humidity control if needed.”

But when you do initially turn on your air conditioner, don’t set your thermostat at a colder temperature than normal because it could actually cost you more instead of cooling your home any faster.

Best thermostat setting for air conditioning

The recommended thermostat setting for the summer season is 78 degrees, according to the North Carolina state energy office.

Here are some other suggested strategies that could help you stay cool and low on costs:

• Use fans and lighter weight bedding

• Turn off lighting and media when not needed

• Reduce your water heater temperature to about 120 degrees

• Insulate your water heater and exposed hot water pipes

• Use weatherstripping and caulking to seal gaps and holes around piping penetrations and cracks

• Replace older lighting with new LED lighting

HVAC repair

In North Carolina, there is also an online database of state incentives (dsireusa.org) for renewable energy and energy efficiency that may be available in your area, along with multiple income-qualified programs that offer free or reduced cost weatherization, HVAC replacement and home repair services for households with lower incomes.

You can find more information and additional energy efficiency resources online at deq.nc.gov.

This story was originally published June 12, 2025 at 11:37 AM with the headline "What’s the best thermostat setting in NC to stay cool & save money this summer?."

Chyna Blackmon

The Charlotte Observer

Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription