One of the biggest challenges during the winter season is trying to avoid an expensive energy bill. However, there are actionable steps you can take to reduce costs while keeping your family comfortable. One excellent way is to ensure your thermostat is set to an optimal temperature. Our experts at Comfort Systems have provided this brief overview to help you when the colder weather sets in. If you follow these steps, you’ll see a big difference in your monthly bill with more money in your pockets.

Ideal Thermostat Setting For Your House

Homeowners can drastically reduce energy usage by having set temperatures, depending on what you’re doing. Use these thermostat settings for optimal energy use. As a quick note, these are a general guide, and you may have to adjust accordingly. For instance, if you have an elderly person in the home, they may need the temperature a few degrees warmer.

  • When you’re in the house, a good setting is between 68-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • When you’re asleep, you can drop the temperature to around 65-66 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • You can also keep the thermostat around 65-66 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re away from home.

It can become a little challenging to determine the best temperature for your household, as everyone has different preferences. Ultimately, it’s essential to agree on a particular setting and work together for a compromise.  Below are some ideal things to consider to keep your energy costs lower for the winter.

 Pick A Temperature That Makes Everyone Content

It can be hard to please everyone, especially if you have children in the house. Remember, the ideal temperature for indoor areas should always hover around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Even if you just adjusted the thermostat a few degrees while sleeping or away from home, you could slash your energy expenses significantly.

 Slowly Lower The Thermostat At Outside Temperature Increases

Take it slow when you’re trying to adjust to the colder temperatures outside. As fall starts to finish, you may want to lower the thermostat one degree every few weeks. By the time winter comes around, you’ll be used to the inside temperature, and you won’t feel the need to crank the heat up.

 Use A Smart Or Programmable Thermostat 

While there’s no “set’ temperature everyone will probably agree on, you can take advantage of technology and use a programmable thermostat. Using one of these will allow you to have complete control over your HVAC system and save you money. In addition, it will adjust the temperature automatically at the specific times you desire. Some best practices for using your temperature settings include:

  • Always lower your temperature if you plan to leave for more than three hours.
  • Lower the thermostat when you’re sleeping. Keeping the temperature a little lower can improve the quality of your sleep as well.
  • Use a smartphone to have control over the thermostat at all times. We all know life can get hectic at times, so this allows you to control the system remotely.

Make Sure Your Heating System Is Properly Maintained

Above anything else, making sure your system is maintained is most important. Without proper maintenance, unexpected breaks can happen in the middle of winter, quickly becoming expensive. We recommend taking a few simple yet necessary steps to maintain the heating unit. First, ensure you replace the air filter each month. Secondly, double-check that no obstructions are blocking any air vents. The reason for this is to ensure warm air is properly circulating throughout the home. Finally, we recommend scheduling preventative maintenance before the start of the winter season. Minor issues can quickly escalate into more significant repairs if they aren’t taken care of immediately.

While maintaining your heating system sounds easy enough, you’d be surprised how many homeowners can easily forget any of these critical tasks. So if you don’t do anything else, make sure to replace the air filter and schedule an appointment for routine maintenance.

Comfort Systems Can Provide The Help You Need This Winter

The cold days are quickly approaching, and now is the time to make sure you’re ready. Whether you have questions about installing a new thermostat or if you need maintenance on your HVAC unit, we’re here to help. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today or call to make an appointment.

Posted in Heating