As winter draws near and the temperature falls, finding ways to save money on your heating bills becomes a top priority. One of the most effective techniques is changing your thermostat settings to optimize energy usage without compromising comfort.
With several options and techniques available, homeowners can decrease your heating costs while still trying to keep your home cozy throughout the chilly season. Irrespective of whether you prefer a programmable thermostat or manual device, there are plenty of ways to find the appropriate balance between warmth and savings.
Overall, a good guideline is the lower the temperature within your home and the less difference there is between the air inside your home and the exterior temperature, the more money you will save on your monthly energy costs.
Ideal Thermostat Settings While You Are at Home
When you’re at 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 Going to Be Out of Your Home
The DOE states you can save as much as 10% on your home heating costs by turning down your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. By doing this, you’re not needlessly spending money heating your home while you’re not there.
Industry professionals say, if you are going on vacation or will be gone a prolonged period of time, you can set your thermostat as low as 50 degrees. That will keep your furnace running so you don’t have any frozen or burst pipes cause damage to your home while you're gone.
When you get back to your house, turn up the temperature slowly. That will keep your heating system from working too hard, which could happen if you raise the temperature on your thermostat quite high right away.
Suggested Thermostat Settings While You Are in Bed for The Night
The good news about sleep-time thermostat settings in the winter is that people get good sleep when it’s a little colder. The National Sleep Foundation suggests somewhere between 66 and 70 degrees is the best temperature range for quality sleep.
Other Methods to Use Less Energy on Your HVAC in Winter
There are many other techniques you can employ so you consume less energy this winter while you heat your home. They include:
Check your insulation levels
Insulate doors, windows and walls to minimize drafts, keep warm air inside and avoid heat loss. This will decrease the stress on your HVAC system and save energy.
Install a programmable thermostat
Purchase a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature in your home effectively. Set lower temperatures when you're not home or asleep and increase them only when required.
For even more savings, buy a smart thermostat that can sense when you are in or out and change the temperature appropriately. To learn more about these gadgets or for smart thermostat installation in Newark, contact the skilled technicians at Luikart Heating & Cooling. We can tell you how smart thermostats can improve your home's comfort—and your pocketbook.
H3: Plan furnace maintenance:
Plan to hire someone to do regular maintenance for your HVAC system. A well-maintained system runs more efficiently, decreasing energy consumption and probably avoiding costly repairs. Clean or replace air filters routinely to assure proper airflow.
For furnace maintenance in Newark, call the team at Luikart Heating & Cooling. Our specialists will get your system in top shape!
Seal air leaks
Locate and seal any air leaks in your home. Common sites for leaks are windows, doors, attic hatches and ductwork. Closing these gaps stops warm air from leaking out of your home, making your HVAC system work less to maintain a comfy temperature.
Improve your HVAC system
If your furnace is old, inefficient or just isn’t able to keep your home as warm as you want, furnace replacement may be a smart long-term option. Modern day furnaces are very efficient, which can considerably reduce your monthly bills compared to an old or inefficient model.
If you’re considering investing in a new heating system, contact the specialists at Luikart Heating & Cooling. We’re known for knowledgeable furnace installation in Newark and will help you select a unit that’s ideal for your home! Call 740-344-5497 today to schedule a free, no-obligation estimate!