As winter approaches and the temperature drops, finding ways to save money on your heating bills becomes a top priority. One of the best tips is modifying your thermostat settings to optimize energy usage without compromising comfort.
With numerous options and techniques available, you can lower 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 many ways to find the perfect balance between warmth and savings.
Overall, a good rule is the lower the temperature in your home and the less difference there is between the air inside your home and the outside temperature, the more money you will save on heating.
Money-Saving 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 most families cozy, but also low enough to be energy efficient.
Effective Temperature Settings While You Not at Home
The DOE reports you can save up to 10% on your home heating costs by lowering your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. This way, 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 an extended period of time, you can adjust your thermostat as low as 50 degrees. Doing this 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, increase the temperature slowly. That will keep your heating system from working too hard, which it could if you raise the temperature on your thermostat quite high right away.
Recommended Thermostat Settings While You Are Asleep
The nice thing about sleep-time thermostat settings in the winter is that people get good sleep when it’s a little colder. The National Sleep Foundation states somewhere between 66 and 70 degrees is the optimal temperature range for quality sleep.
Additional Ways to Use Less Energy on Your HVAC in Winter
There are many other techniques you can use 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 protect against heat loss. This will minimize the pressure on your HVAC system and save energy.
Set up a programmable thermostat
Put in a programmable thermostat to control the temperature in your home effortlessly. Set lower temperatures when you're away or asleep and increase them only when required.
For even more savings, install a smart thermostat that can detect when you are in or out and modify the temperature appropriately. To learn more about these systems or for smart thermostat installation in Florissant and St. Charles, contact the skilled technicians at B & B Heating & Cooling. We can explain how smart thermostats can improve 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 furnace functions more efficiently, lowering energy consumption and probably avoiding costly repairs. Clean or exchange air filters on a regular basis to ensure proper airflow.
For furnace maintenance in Florissant and St. Charles, call the team at B & B Heating & Cooling. Our trained technicians will get your system in top shape!
Seal air leaks
Find and close off any air leaks in your home. Common spots for leaks tend to be windows, doors, attic hatches and ductwork. Sealing these gaps prevents warm air from seeping out, making your HVAC system work less to maintain a sufficient temperature.
Update your HVAC system
If your furnace is old, inefficient or just isn’t able to keep your home as warm as you desire, furnace replacement may be a good long-term solution. Today’s furnaces are highly efficient, which can notably lower your monthly bills compared to an old or inefficient model.
If you’re considering getting a new heating system, call the specialists at B & B Heating & Cooling. We’re known for experienced furnace installation in Florissant and St. Charles and will help you select a unit that’s well suited for your home! Call 314-325-7552 today to schedule a free, no-obligation estimate!