You may be wondering what’s the best temperature for a heater in winter? You might be surprised to hear that an experienced air conditioning technician may tell you that most homeowners keep their thermostat set too high in the winter. Some families realize on their own that turning the thermostat down a few degrees not only feels more comfortable but also saves a lot on heating costs.
When you are just lying around, you may find that it feels a little cool in your home. If you are active in any way, you will probably warm up in no time. Besides, you can always put on a sweatshirt or a pair of socks, or you can get cozy under a blanket during the winter months.
Experts say that the best temperature at which to set your thermostat during the winter is 68 degrees. This setting is warm enough for most people, no matter what activities they are engaged in. We should note that this temperature is best for the daytime hours when you are at home.
People often think about saving money on cooling costs during the summertime, but what they don’t know is that there are also ways to save on heating costs during the cooler months of the year.
A Couple Of Important Facts
Let’s take a moment to make a point: if you are comfortable at a cooler temperature, then, by all means, set your thermostat at a lower temperature. Plenty of people find 65 degrees perfectly comfortable for an indoor home temperature. Setting your thermostat at any temperature below 66 degrees Fahrenheit will lower your energy costs noticeably.
Humidity isn’t as big of a problem in the winter, so you could get by without running your heater whenever it’s warm enough. There is a misconception that turning your heater or HVAC system on and off makes it work harder—and use more energy—when you turn it back on. Despite this popular belief, this isn’t true. Your heater will actually use less energy overall because it isn’t running all the time. The only thing that makes your unit work harder is dirty filters and ducts.
Thermostat Best Practices
Now, with those topics out of the way, let’s look at the finer points of managing your thermostat. If you have a programmable thermostat or if you set your indoor temperature manually depending on your family’s schedule, there are a few things you should think about.
You can turn the heat down about 30 minutes before you leave home and program your thermostat to turn the heat back on 30 minutes before you get back. If you have a Wi-Fi control of your thermostat, you will have even more control over your indoor temperature.
When You Aren’t Home
If you lower your thermostat when you aren’t home, you could see a big difference in your energy costs during the winter. Most people are away from home 8 hours a day or more. During this time, you can lower the thermostat by as much as 10 or 15 degrees, which will save you up to 15 percent per year on heating costs.
The programmable thermostat discussed earlier will help with this, but simply turning the heat off before you leave will have basically the same impact. You’ll just have to manage the chill when you return home as your house is warming back up when you turn the heat back on.
At Night
At night, you can also turn the heat down. You may not be comfortable at 15 degrees lower than normal, so you’ll have to experiment to find what setting works best for you and your family. If your average setting is 68 degrees, that means your nighttime setting would be only 53 degrees, which is pretty chilly. But a few degrees lower, from 8 to 10 degrees, will still be comfortable for everyone in your home while they sleep. You can add quilts or blankets to beds for extra warmth.
If you will be getting up and leaving the house early the next morning, you wouldn’t even need to turn your heat back up while you get ready for work and school. The savings could be substantial in this case.
When You Are Away
Preparing your house for extended vacation is very important. If you are going on vacation or will be away for a few days, 55 degrees is warm enough for an empty home. You simply need to keep your living spaces warm enough that pipes don’t bust and that, when you return home, you will be able to heat your home up reasonably quickly again.
Any time it’s comfortable for you in the late summer or early fall, you can open up the windows to get your home either warmer or cooler, depending on the difference between temperatures indoors and outside. Allergens are generally at their lowest this time of year, and the air is crisp and fresh with the changing seasons. Be mindful, and avoid running your air conditioner and heater until you absolutely have to.
The bottom line is that you must find a balance between an economical setting and one that is comfortable for you and your family in order to find the best temperature for your heater in winter.
ABC Can Keep You Comfortable In Your Home
Relaxing at home becomes a challenge if you are constantly either too hot or too cold. If you have problems keeping your home temperature comfortable, bring in a professional to advise you on your options. The experienced technicians at ABC Home & Commercial Services can make any needed repairs, perform maintenance and even help you choose and install a new unit, if repairs become so costly that it makes more sense to replace your unit. With ABC’s help, you can stay warm all winter long without having to lift a finger.
