Energy Efficient Thermostat Practices for Fall and Winter
As the cooler weather sets in, adjusting your thermostat settings becomes key to both comfort and energy savings. Energy efficient thermostat practices for fall and winter are essential for creating a cozy home without driving up your utility bills. Simple changes, like adjusting your thermostat by just a few degrees or utilizing programmable features, can make a noticeable difference. The right settings can help maintain a consistent, comfortable temperature while minimizing strain on your heating system. Whether you’re looking to stay warm on chilly nights or keep your home energy-efficient, adopting smart thermostat habits this fall and winter is a win-win for both your comfort and your wallet.
Lower the Temperature at Night
One of the simplest ways to save energy is by lowering your thermostat at night. The ideal sleep temperature for most people is between 60-67°F (15-20°C). Reducing the temperature when you’re asleep or away from home can cut down on heating costs without sacrificing comfort. Use a programmable thermostat to set your system to automatically lower the temperature while you sleep and raise it again before you wake up.
Have you heard that it’s better to keep your thermostat at a consistent temperature all day and night? That is true is some cases, but not most. Generally, each degree you lower your thermostat can save you 1% on your heating bill. That can add up to hundreds of dollars in savings per year!
Set the Thermostat to 68°F During the Day
For most homes, setting the thermostat to 68°F (20°C) while you’re awake and active provides a comfortable indoor temperature without overworking your heater. When you’re at home, this is an ideal baseline for balancing comfort and energy efficiency. You can adjust slightly higher if needed, but keeping it around this mark is usually sufficient for most households. When you’re not home, you can set the temperature even lower to save more. Don’t mistaken the difference between lowering your thermostat and turning it off, though. It is not recommended to turn your thermostat off during the winter as it then has to work overtime to provide warmth when it’s turned back on.
Utilize a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat allows you to set different temperatures for different times of day, meaning your system only runs when it’s needed. This is especially useful when you’re away at work or school, or even when you’re sleeping. You can program it to lower the temperature at night and raise it again shortly before you return home or wake up.
Many modern thermostats have an “auto” mode that adjusts your system’s heating and cooling based on the programmed settings, rather than just running continuously. This helps maintain a more consistent temperature throughout your home and reduces the energy consumption that comes with constantly cycling the heater on and off.
Seal Drafts and Insulate Your Home
Your thermostat can only do so much! Make sure your home is sealed properly to keep warm air in and cold air out. Check windows, doors, and any gaps around vents or ducts for drafts. Insulating your home properly can also help the heating system work more efficiently, allowing you to keep the thermostat lower without sacrificing warmth. A common method to sealing windows is using plastic and tape. A simple way to stop door drafts is by placing a draft stopper at the base of the door. If you’re noticing an excessive number of windows with drafts, it may be time to consider replacing them.
Use Ceiling Fans to Circulate Warm Air
It may sound a bit backwards, but ceiling fans can actually help heat your home too. During the winter months, most ceiling fans have a reversible motor that allows them to spin clockwise. This will push the warm air that rises back down into the living space, making the room feel warmer and allowing you to reduce the thermostat setting by a few degrees without compromising comfort. Ceiling fans in the cooler months can help distribute warm arm to more parts of a home without making a furnace work as hard. In the end, this can save homeowners money on their energy bills.
Keep Your Thermostat Away from Heat Sources
Where you place your thermostat can impact its accuracy at measuring the temperature of your home. Make sure your thermostat is placed in an area that isn’t directly affected by drafts, direct sunlight, or heat-producing appliances like ovens or radiators. These external factors can cause your thermostat to register incorrect temperatures, leading to over- or under-heating in your home.
Consider a Smart Thermostat
If you’re ready to take your thermostat practices to the next level, consider upgrading to a smart thermostat. These devices learn your heating preferences over time and can adjust automatically based on your habits. Some even allow you to have multiple devices throughout your home to get the ideal temperature for each main room. They can also be controlled remotely via an app, allowing you to change settings from anywhere, ensuring you’re never heating an empty home.
By incorporating these good thermostat practices into your daily routine, you’ll not only keep your home comfortable throughout the colder months but also save energy and money in the long run. If practicing good thermostat habits just isn’t enough, we’ll help you locate a trusted Joyce window dealer in your area here.