Imagine what you would do if your home didn’t have a thermostat. There would be plenty of creative ideas to keep warm and cool every season, and next to nothing energy bills to boot. This hypothetical situation demonstrates not only just how reliant we are on thermostats, but also how much we take them for granted. What’s worse is that we grumble about utility bills when we could do more to regulate them by setting the thermostat correctly. So, how do you set your thermostat correctly? Let’s explore!
What Should You Set Your Thermostat To?
Thermostat Optimization
The Department of Energy’s research has found that adjusting the regular thermostat temperature every day for eight hours by 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit achieves energy savings in the region of 10 percent. Acquire the discipline to do this year-round and those savings add up.
In addition to seasonal adjustments, the thermostat should also be adjusted for when the house is empty and for when everyone is in bed. When the house is unoccupied, even for a little as two hours, the thermostat should be adjusted down by 10-15 degrees to save even more on the energy bills. Experts agree that for every 1 degree of adjustment downwards in winter, heating bills can reduce by between 5 and 15 percent.
Winter Thermostat Settings
Bundling up, even when at home, is an energy-saving strategy. Pull out the sweater granny knitted for you and the knee blankets. If you have a dog or cat, having them curled up with you is a win for them and you. The recommended winter daytime thermostat setting is 68 degrees F. At bedtime that can go down to 63-65 degrees F to save even more. If you are going to be out of the house, take it down to 60 degrees F.
Summer Thermostat Settings
The expert consensus seems to be that 78 degrees F is the optimal summertime setting if you are at home. Although this may not be as cool as you would prefer, it will save on the HVAC bill. A setting of 85-88 degrees F for when the house is unoccupied could save a further 10 percent on cooling costs in the summer.
Spring and Fall Thermostat Settings
Spring and fall are those challenging, unpredictable times as the weather can change season more than once a day. Equally, a big temperature swing could set in for a few days. There are two possible courses of action:
- Leave the temperature settings alone until the weather prognosis becomes clearer over the next day or two.
- Set upper and lower limits on the programmable thermostat.
Maintenance
To ensure that the thermostat can function optimally, it needs to be maintained all year round. This is not as inconvenient as it sounds. In fact, it’s just a matter of cleaning the filters to improve air circulation, and checking the ducts for blockages, dirt, and leaks. An added benefit of a well-maintained HVAC system is that the air circulating throughout your home will be cleaner, and therefore healthier to breathe. More reading: Thermostat Savings This Winter (Energy.gov)
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