Greening Austin Daily

Thermostat Temperatures Around Austin

5th August, 2010 - Posted by katherine - No Comments

The Statesman had a good article today about the temperatures verious Austin businesses keep their thermostats set at.  The article notes that:

Businesses and institutions around Austin consistently cool their spaces to temperatures lower than one recommended by Austin Energy, according to a survey conducted by the Austin American-Statesman.

Lower temperatures at barber shops, video stores, record stores, movie theaters, schools, post offices and restaurants mean higher energy consumption as Austin grapples with how to provide electricity to a growing population. The city consumes more electricity in the summer than in the winter, largely because of air conditioning. Last year, nonresidential customers consumed 41 percent of their electricity in June, July, August and September.

Austin Energy recommends Austinites set their thermostats no lower than 78 degrees during the summer. Each degree cooler than 78 increases energy use by 3 percent, the city-owned utility calculates.

The article goes on to notes that:

Austin Energy spends about $700,000 a year marketing residential and commercial energy efficiency programs, which consistently mention setting the thermostat to no lower than 78 degrees in the summer to reduce air-conditioning use.

“It’s not going to be maximum comfort, but it may be a reasonable temperature if you’re focused on your energy bill,” said Ed Clark, a spokesman for Austin Energy.

Temperatures in the lobby of Austin Energy headquarters on Wednesday registered between 73 and 77 degrees.