Your home’s ideal temperature for your heating and cooling system should provide comfort and convenience to you and your family. Thermostat settings for both comfort and energy savings are important to every homeowner. We’re going to look at what some of the experts have to say about recommended thermostat settings to help your home warm and your utility bills low.
Most Efficient Winter HVAC Settings
An ideal way to implement this concept is with a smart thermostat, which can change your winter HVAC temperature throughout the day and night. This is because the most efficient settings for your thermostat change depending on what time of day it is, and who is occupying the house.
Simply program your smart thermostat to heat the house at certain times of the day, and let the sun do the rest while at its peak (11-2). If your body needs some time to acclimate, invest in some blankets and sweaters. You might end up saving up to $90 a year on your electricity bills!
The Ideal Temperature During Winter Is…
If you’re looking to save money on your heating bills this winter, it’s important to know the right temperature to set your thermostat.
According to Energy Star, the best temperature to set your thermostat this winter is 68 degrees Fahrenheit. The reason for this is simple: it allows the most efficient use of the heat in your home. As temperatures drop, your HVAC system tries to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature—and when that temperature drops below 68 degrees, you can expect higher energy bills.
If you’re not ready to jump on board with this strategy yet, consider giving yourself a few days or weeks before making any changes so that you can see how much your HVAC system will struggle at different temperatures before deciding whether or not you want to make any adjustments.
What Should I Set My Thermostat to in Winter At Night?
The ideal temperature for a good night’s sleep is typically between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit — and you might even sleep better because of it. WebMD says that the set point for your body temperature drops when you sleep. If it’s too cold or too hot, it throws off your internal temperature, which in turn can make your sleep more fitful.
There is one caveat, though: since everyone’s body temperature varies, what you may need for comfort during the day could be different from what you need at night.
Best Temperature to Set a Thermostat in Winter While Away
When you’re going away, your house is a little like a delicious soup—you want to keep it warm and cozy while you’re gone, but you also don’t want to overheat it.
It’s all about keeping things in balance. And if your pets aren’t traveling with you, it’s important to make sure they don’t get too cold. Setting the thermostat lower than 64 degrees Fahrenheit will keep them warm and comfortable so that they aren’t left alone for long periods or exposed to extreme temperatures. Houseplants also need an indoor temperature of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit to stay alive.
What Temperature Should I Set My Thermostat to in the Winter to Save Money?
If you’re like most people, the thought of winter brings with it visions of cuddly, fuzzy feet and hot cocoa. But if you’re also like everyone else, you know that winter can also bring with it the notion that you need to plan for high energy bills to keep your family warm.
A smart thermostat is key to energy savings during the winter season. By lowering the thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours each day, you can reduce your heating and cooling expenses by as much as 10% annually. Over time, it can cost you more if you keep the thermostat fluctuating throughout the day or forget to adjust it to the right level.
How to Simplify Temperature Setbacks
These measures include closing your curtains and other window treatments at night, ensuring your home is properly insulated and sealed, and investing in a programmable thermostat.
Your programmable thermostat will automatically switch the temperature to your preferred levels when you set it to do so in advance. Programmable thermostats do away with the possibility of human error, which reduces energy costs and additional costs that may result from forgetting to adjust the temperature.
Winterize and cover your outdoor AC unit to protect against ice, snow, and debris.
If you’re like most people, your air conditioner is a big part of your life. It keeps the house at a comfortable indoor temperature during the warmer months, and it helps you stay warm during winter. Winterizing your AC unit is a must-do to protect it from the elements. If you live in a region that has harsh winters, it’s a good idea to completely winterize your air conditioner before the snow and ice start to fall.
It’s important to take precautions against ice, snow, and debris—and winterizing your AC unit is one of the best ways to do that. Get outside on a dry fall day and clear your outside unit of all leaves, twigs, and grass clippings. Use a garden hose to give the area a good rinse to get rid of any animal droppings, bugs, dust, or filth.
To avoid accidental automated starts on warm winter days, find the electrical circuit and flip the switch to cut the power supply after the unit has completely dried again. Finally, to prevent moisture from accumulating throughout the winter, cover the HVAC unit with a waterproof cover that can breathe. Also, keep in mind to remove snow, ice, and debris as they pile up in the upcoming months.
Additional Cost-Saving HVAC Settings for Winter
This winter, keeping your air filter clean and your air vents clear will have a significant impact on your energy cost, home temperature, and energy usage. Your air vents’ accumulation of dust and filth may also obstruct ventilation and result in poor airflow.
Invest in a New Energy-Efficient Heating System
If your current system is more than ten years old, it’s time to start thinking about installing a new furnace and upgrading to a newer HVAC system. The efficiency of modern furnaces can increase by up to 15%, yet they can provide just as much heat as the earlier models.
Most of these upgrades are made possible by technology that has been around for decades but has recently become more accessible and affordable. In addition to increased efficiency, newer models offer many other benefits such as:
- Better airflow
- Better temperature control
- Conserve energy and lower utility bills
Lower Temperature Settings Gradually
Do you and your family constantly argue over winter thermostat settings? As the temperature drops and you begin to acclimate to the colder weather, it’s important to lower the temperature in your home by one degree each week.
The goal is to get everyone used to a lower thermostat setting and it will help reduce heating costs. This will help reduce heating costs and make your family more comfortable! No matter what type of HVAC system you have, you can use a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home’s temperature at certain times throughout the day.
Maintain Your Furnace Annually
Fall is the perfect time to schedule a heating system tune-up.
It’s important to schedule a heating system tune-up every autumn before the temperatures get chilly outside. Having a well-maintained furnace or heating system will make sure your family stays comfortable this winter, and will proactively identify potential problems before the system breaks down. It would also help to schedule preventative home heating maintenance every year before the temperature starts to drop.
Consider Multi-Zoned HVAC Options
Multi-zone systems allow you to adjust your HVAC system at different comfortable temperatures in different parts of your home. While multi-zone heating systems are more costly than your standard HVAC unit, they offer the most control over the indoor temperature throughout your entire home.
Keep Your Home Comfortable This Winter With All Seasons Heating and Cooling!
Need help keeping your house insulated this winter? Need to replace a pipe or fix your furnace?
ECMC can help! We offer the best heating and air conditioning repair services in Monmouth County.