There should be a concern for human health in suggesting a radical departure from temperatures that people are accustomed to experiencing.
Here is a table taken directly from the Energy Star Website the evening of August 21, 2019:
“Illustrative Example of Programmable Thermostat Setpoint Times & Temperatures
Most programmable thermostats come with a pre-programmed energy saving setting. Here is an example:
| Setting | Time | Setpoint Temperature (Heat) | Setpoint Temperature (Cool) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake | 6:00 a.m. | 70° F | 78° F |
| Day | 8:00 a.m. | Setback at least 8° F | Setup at least 7° F |
| Evening | 6:00 p.m. | 70° F | 78° F |
| Sleep | 10:00 p.m. | Setback at least 8° F | Setup at least 4° F |
”
This chart suggests a 62 degree temperature for sleeping in the Winter and an 82 degree sleep temperature during the Summer. It seems that the authors of this suggestion may benefit from some of the science related to human sleep and metabolism. Normally, the core temperature of the human body drops to the lowest temperature of the night after about 4 and 1/2 hours into the sleep cycle.
You don’t have to look far to find evidence for the normal human reduction in core body temperature at night. Here is just one article that was low-hanging fruit at an NIH website. Notice the normal cooling of the core body temperature as one sleeps peacefully. To see the chart click the link here and scroll down to Figure 1.
Not everyone has the luxury of air conditioning. Without artificial climate control, the rhythm of life changes slowly. There is time to grow accustomed to the seasons and temperatures.
Texas is in the South. In the South most people spend a great deal of time indoors during the Summer. One huge difference between Minnesota and the American South is the time that people spend indoors by season. Minnesotans spend most of their time indoors in the Winter and enjoy the out-of-doors in the warmer months. In the South this is turned around. In the South, people seek shade, cool and shelter from a seeming relentless Summer Sun.
Getting acclimated to the seasons is naturally a slow process. With the advent of modern air conditioning, few people choose to spend time in 100 degree heat when an air-cooled environment awaits. Life is just more pleasant when our homes and places of work are comfortably cool in the Summer and warm in the Winter. You get to choose what temperature you set with your air-conditioning system.
Sudden departure from the comforts of a lifetime, such as air conditioning, can be catastrophic.