Temperatures are rising and we are depending more and more on the state's most appreciated appliance: the air conditioner .

It's roasting out there, which brings up the question: what temperature should I set my thermostat on ?

Short answer: it depends.

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What temperature should I set my a/c on in a Florida summer?

The first and last ones are the most important ones. If you can afford it, run your a/c as low as you want. Just be prepared for considerably higher bills and likely more air conditioner maintenance and repairs, although Florida Power & Light has been lowering rates lately .

FPL spokesperson Katarina Alvarez said a one-degree increase in thermostats could save between 3-5% on cooling costs. The less your a/c has to work, the lower your bill.

So set your thermostat to the highest temperature you can remain comfortable in and can afford, and look for other ways to cool off your place.

Should you set your temperature to 78 degrees?

For a long time, 78 degrees has been the number everyone drops in their "stay cool" guides. Which is fine for some people, and for lizards.

When the media and electric utility companies promote 78 degrees they often refer to ENERGY STAR , a program run by the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy that has become synonymous with energy-efficient appliances. But ENERGY STAR doesn't recommend any specific temperature.

“ENERGY STAR does not assert that any particular temperature setting is good for households,” the EPA said in an email to The Palm Beach Post.

Should I turn my air conditioner off at night and open the windows?

In the Florida summer, opening your windows day or night isn't a good idea unless you just like the heat.

Temperatures don't drop that much in the Sunshine State overnight and letting the place heat up means your a/c will have to start from scratch in the morning. It also means letting in a lot of moist, hot air that will get absorbed by the carpeting and furniture upholstery, which means an uncomfortable house and the increased possibility of mildew.

Should I turn my air conditioner off if I leave for work or vacation?

Turning it up a bit while you're gone can save you money, but unless you'll be gone for a week or more the work your a/c will have to do to bring the temp back down to liveable when you get home may not be worth what you save by turning it off.

Air conditioning also helps reduce humidity in your house, and that helps keep mold and mildew in check. There are also your pets to consider. Your dogs and cats don't like the heat any more than you do , and they have fewer ways to cool off.

When you're out of the house for an extended amount of time, FPL recommends setting your thermostat to 85 degrees with the fan on "auto."

Keep the home cooler for people more susceptible to heat

Older adults are more prone to heat stress , according to the Centers for Disease Control. They don't adjust as well to temperature changes, they're more likely to have a chronic medical condition that changes their normal responses to heat , and they're more likely to take prescription medicines that affect the body's ability to control its temperature.

Older people also are more prone to Alzheimer's disease and other dementia-related illnesses, and scorching heat can be even more dangerous for individuals who may not notice that they're overheating , may not understand what it means, may have impaired judgment, or may not be able to tell anyone about it.

"Summer can be extremely dangerous for those with Alzheimer's in Florida," Julie Shatzer, Vice President of Programs for the Florida chapters of the Alzheimer's Association , said in an email. "Symptoms of overheating can be difficult to detect in those with Alzheimer's and other dementia since they can be similar."

How can I keep the bills under control while running my a/c nonstop?

Even if you're running your a/c nonstop, there are plenty of ways to give your air conditioner less to do.

How often should I get my air conditioner maintained?

ENERGY STAR recommends once a year , in the spring, but Floridians might want to go twice, especially if you live near the coast.

What can I do to maintain my air conditioner?

How can I tell if my air conditioner needs to be replaced?

Older units have other issues, such as increasingly scarce parts or outdated coolant. The U.S. ceased production of Freon in 2020 and older units used R-22 Freon, which is getting tougher to find. And newer systems are more energy efficient.