There’s currently an active Flex Alert in California, meaning that all are encouraged to reduce their energy use from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. They recommend setting your thermostat to 78º F,1 saying, “Increasing your air conditioner 7 to 10 degrees 8 hours a day can save up to 10 percent on cooling costs.”

My question is, Who the hell has their thermostat set between 68º–71º all day? Do people like to live in igloos? How are they able to afford to keep their air conditioners on 24/7, as they must surely do to achieve those frosty temps? Do they just like the idea of needing to wear a sweater when it’s over 100º outside?

I’ve continued to have my thermostat stuck at 78º and frequently kick it up to 80º when I can, and I live in an especially hot area of Southern California. It doesn’t go below that. I guess these air conditioner hogs are the reason why there’s a Flex Alert going in the first place!

  1. About 26º C. ↩︎