As winter approaches and the temperature dips, finding ways to save money on your heating bills becomes a top priority. One of the most effective tips is modifying your thermostat settings to optimize energy usage without sacrificing comfort.
With numerous options and techniques available, you can reduce your heating costs while still trying to keep your home cozy throughout the chilly season. Regardless of whether you prefer a programmable thermostat or manual device, there are plenty of ways to find the perfect balance between warmth and savings.
Overall, a good rule of thumb is the lower the temperature within your home and the less difference there is between the air inside your home and the outdoor temperature, the more money you will save on your HVAC bills.
Best Thermostat Settings While You Are at Home
When you’re going to be home, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) advises dialing your thermostat to between 68°F and 70°F in the winter. That’s warm enough to keep lots of families comfy, but also low enough to be energy efficient.
Effective Temperature Settings While You Not at Home
The DOE states you can save as much as 10% on your heating costs by turning down your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. By doing this, you’re not throwing away money heating your home while you’re not there.
Authorities say, if you are going on vacation or will be gone a long period of time, you can adjust your thermostat as low as 50 degrees. That will keep your furnace running so you don’t have any frozen or burst pipes while you are away.
When you return to your home, raise the temperature slowly. That will keep your heating system from performing too hard, which it could if you raise the temperature on your thermostat quite high right away.
Suggested Thermostat Settings While You Are Sleeping
The nice thing about sleep-time thermostat settings in the winter is that people sleep better when it’s a little colder. The National Sleep Foundation says somewhere between 66 and 70 degrees is the best temperature range for great sleep.
Additional Methods to Use Less Energy on Your HVAC in Winter
There are a number of other ways you can utilize to consume less energy this winter while you heat your home. They include:
Examine your insulation levels
Insulate doors, windows and walls to cut down on drafts, keep warm air inside and avoid heat loss. This will limit the stress on your HVAC system and save energy.
Buy a programmable thermostat
Purchase a programmable thermostat to control the temperature in your home effortlessly. Set lower temperatures when you're not home or asleep and increase them only when needed.
For even more savings, buy a smart thermostat that can perceive when you are in or out and change the temperature correctly. To learn more about these systems or for smart thermostat installation in Alliance, contact the skilled technicians at Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces. We can explain how smart thermostats can help your home's comfort—and your pocketbook.
H3: Arrange furnace maintenance:
Plan to hire someone to do regular maintenance for your heating and cooling system. A well-maintained system runs more efficiently, lowering energy consumption and possibly avoiding costly repairs. Clean or exchange air filters regularly to ensure proper airflow.
For furnace maintenance in Alliance, call the team at Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces. Our trained technicians will get your system in peak condition!
Seal air leaks
Find and fill in any air leaks in your home. Common places for leaks tend to be windows, doors, attic hatches and ductwork. Sealing these gaps stops warm air from escaping, making your HVAC system work less to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Improve your HVAC system
If your HVAC equipment is old, inefficient or just isn’t able to keep your home as warm as you need, furnace replacement may be an ideal long-term decision. Contemporary furnaces are highly efficient, which can considerably decrease your monthly bills compared to an old or inefficient model.
If you’re contemplating investing in a new heating system, contact the pros at Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces. We’re noted for knowledgeable furnace installation in Alliance and will help you find a unit that’s well suited for your home! Call 308-762-1613 today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation estimate!