Homeowners across the country ponder this question each year when temperatures start dropping and it's time to turn on the heat. Answering the question, however, is not as simple as citing one specific temperature, especially as financial and energy usage concerns differ from one family and home to the next.
But instead of focusing a perfect number, you will benefit from establishing an energy-efficient winter heating strategy that will keep your home warm and your thermostat settings reasonable so you won't face large energy bills. Here are a few tips. Every home has its temperature preference, but setting the thermostat to that temperature and never changing it isn't helpful to your energy bills.
Set your thermostats at that desired high temperature. Once you and your family acclimate to the colder weather, lower the temperature in the home by one degree each week. This one-degree reduction - maintained for even eight hours - can reduce a home's energy bill by 1 percent, according to the U.
Department of Energy. Lowering the temperature further and preserving these lower temperatures for longer periods of time increases those savings, and you'll probably never notice the difference with such a slow, gradual change. There is no perfect winter interior temperature for every home, and the savviest homeowners realize there is no perfect temperature for every moment in their homes. Times when your home is left empty — such as work hours or traveling periods — present ideal opportunities to lower the temperature and reduce expenses.
However, many homeowners miss this opportunity because they find constantly programming their thermostats too time-consuming. Others simply forget. Since you still want to reduce your winter energy expenses without feeling the cold, it pays to be creative. Shop for a great electricity rate to ensure you're not paying more than you need to for your power. Direct Energy has options to help you make the most of your energy dollar.
Close doors and vents to unused rooms makes it easier for the home's furnace to deliver the desired temperature to occupied living spaces. Schedule an annual furnace maintenance and inspection. Seal cracks around the windows or door jambs. Bundle up. Dressing warmly, even inside the home, will make your family less reliant on the furnace, allowing you to turn down the thermostat another degree. Most like the temperature in winter at around This has nothing to do with how comfortable or warm you are but what a home or apartment building requires to keep the pipes from freezing.
Most Americans, on average, set their thermostats to 68 or higher during the winter months to keep warm — this drives up energy costs. Instead of putting on a sweatshirt, wearing warmer pants, or using a second blanket, Many Americans will crank up the thermostat to keep warm. That choice comes at a cost. Then, when they receive their electric bill for the month, they might be shocked at the cost of staying comfortable by turning up the thermostat in winter.
Ideally, you should set your thermostat to the lowest possible temperature you are comfortable with. An interior wall, ideally near the center of the house is the best place for your thermostat. Also, keep in mind which rooms people use most since these are the rooms where you want the temperature to be the most comfortable.
As great as programmable thermostats are — they only work if you use them properly. These next-gen thermostats do more than just keep your home warm and cozy all winter which they do very well , they learn your patterns and automatically adjust the temperature for max efficiency and energy savings. You can program them remotely, get real-time performance alerts and even hide the digital display with a screen saver of your choice.
When connected, you can control lights, locks and several other smart home appliances.
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