‘Supercooling’ Your Home: Brilliant or Bonkers? You Make the Call

Almost as soon as the first mass-produced air conditioning systems were invented in the early 1900s, the ongoing debate about what the 'perfect' temperature setting is started.

More than 120 years later we still don't have the answer.

Recently the U.S. Department of Energy weighed in, recommending that 78 degrees was the optimum setting to keep your home both comfortable and energy efficient during the dog days of summer.

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That number will likely trigger some pretty strong feelings in households across the country with some arguing the number is too high while others will consider it a 'good start'.

But if you think that suggestion is a bit out there, it's got nothing on 'supercooling'.

LifeHacker.com is pushing this theory that is about as extreme as it gets, but they swear by it.

They say 'supercooling' (or 'pre-cooling as they also call it) will not only beat the heat at your place, they claim it will save you money in the long run because your system will actually not need to work as hard.

Here's their pitch:

'The idea is to run your HVAC system at its highest settings at night when it is coolest outside and the sun isn’t baking your home.

Try to get the house down to a really low temperature—about 60 degrees, if you can manage it. As the sun comes up and outside temperatures rise, your house is nice and cold—and will stay that way for a long time, allowing you to put your HVAC system into low mode.

During the day, set your thermostat to the highest point you find comfortable—say, 74 degrees. It will take your house a long time to warm up to that point if you take a few steps and your HVAC may not run at all.'

You read that right - 60 degrees!

There's no doubt the house will be cooler using this method and yes it may actually save money on my cooling bills in the long run.

But my biggest question is will this generate enough savings to pay for a good divorce lawyer, because if I EVER set the thermostat in my house to anything approaching 60 degrees I'm going to need one!

Sioux Falls: Then and Now

The City of Sioux Falls has changed dramatically over the past several years. Some of the streets, landscapes, and neighborhoods look vastly different than just 10-15 years ago.

Here's a look at Sioux Falls, then-and-now. See if you can recognize some of these old buildings, businesses, and city streets.

The Ultimate Sioux Falls Visitor's Guide: A to Z

Sioux Falls has lots to explore; fun stuff for the whole family, food of every kind, educational opportunities, and more! If you have out-of-town guests visiting, show them around our city. Eat at places they've never eaten. Take them to places they'd never go. Take some great photos to post on social media (and don't forget the hashtag #HiFromSiouxFalls). We've even listed some cool hotels where they can stay if you don't have the room.

Sioux Falls, South Dakota. We call it the 'Sioux Empire.' It's the biggest city in the state with a population of nearly 200,000. We’re known for our namesake, Falls Park, along the Big Sioux River. Sioux Falls has received numerous accolades for its quality of life. We have been named the number one best place to rent in America. We’ve topped the list of Best States to Find a Job. Sioux Falls is the Best City in America for Young Professionals.

We've appeared on lists such as Most Charming Small Cities, Top 10 Place to Raise Kids, and even ranked 10th in the 2020 Top 100 Best Places to Live. We have an abundance of achievements and you can see them on the Sioux Falls Development Foundation's website.

It's a pretty awesome city and that's why we think you should come and visit. If you're coming on business or pleasure, we've put together a list of places to go and things to see. We know you want to explore the attractions the city is known for like Falls Park, the Arc of Dreams, and the Sculpture Walk, but there's a lot more to see and do than just the touristy (that's really a word) stuff. The best places to go are where the locals go and we have a not your average, ordinary visitor's guide.

Here's a list of over 100 things to do and places to go in Sioux Falls.

Click HERE for a list of all the places we mention and links to each one. Print it out or save it to your phone and use it as a reference when you're visiting. See you soon!

From Frybread to Pheasants - Here are South Dakota's Official State Things

Every state in our nation has chosen things that represent the state in one way or another to be official state things. Like a flower, or animal. South Dakota is no different.

The Mount Rushmore has a state flower. But did you know we also have a state tree and a state fish? Yes, we even have a state code.

Here is what we have so far in Wyoming. Thanks to the South Dakota Secretary of State's Office for the info: