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Department of Energy Removes Energy-Saving Cooling Webpage
A Department of Energy webpage that advised setting indoor temperatures between 75 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit during summer days has been removed. The page had been part of the agency's Energy Saver guidance and remained accessible through early July.
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A U.S. Department of Energy webpage that recommended setting indoor temperatures between 75 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit during summer days has been removed from the agency's site. Archived copies show the page advised homeowners to "start with an indoor temperature between 75-78°F during the day" and to raise the temperature by 7 degrees when no one was home.
The guidance also covered weatherization, window coverings, air conditioner maintenance, and programmable thermostats. The page returned a "Page not found" message at the time of reporting. The department has not stated whether the removal was intentional or whether updated guidance will be posted.
The removal occurred days after New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged residents to set air conditioners to 78 degrees during a heat wave. The mayor stated the city was maintaining the same temperature setting in public buildings and asked private partners to do the same.
The National Weather Service has issued Extreme Heat Warnings for 26 states and Washington, D.C., with heat index values forecast to reach 115 degrees in some areas. Record temperatures and power disruptions have been reported in several cities. There is no public evidence linking the webpage removal to the mayor's statement.
The archived guidance shows the federal recommendation overlapped with the temperature range the mayor promoted.
