Everyone reacts differently to the weather and changing of seasons. The temperature outside can play havoc on our moods. We might crank up the furnace while lounging on the couch under a heavy blanket.
Like many of us, you’ve probably had some heated family discussions over the thermostat in the wintertime. Striking a delicate balance between staying comfortably warm and managing utility expenses can become a real struggle.
This challenge is heightened when sharing a living space with others who may not agree with your preferred winter thermostat setting. This ongoing battle over the thermostat can lead to increasing tensions and the waste of energy – not to mention excessive heating bills.
There are official recommendations for the most comfortable, energy-efficient winter thermostat settings. According to numerous sources, 68°F (20°C), is the magic number in winter.
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Saver website offers information supporting this setting. Further, the Department recommends an indoor temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
Setting your thermostat to a lower temperature may help you sleep better. Medical experts tell us body temperature drops at night. When it is too cold or hot indoors at night, our internal body temps get out of whack, and this may lead to more inconsistent sleep.
If 68°F (and even cooler at night) is chillier than you or your housemates are used to, it’s best to ease into that temperature. It is recommended lowering the thermostat by one degree per week, giving everyone a chance to acclimate.
Prepare Your Home for Winter
To keep your heating bill down without sacrificing comfort, look for alternative ways to warm and weatherize your home in the winter. Quick, inexpensive fixes include:
- Purchasing or making a door draft stopper and letting the sun’s warmth in during the day when the sky is blue.
- At night, close all curtains to prevent cold air from seeping inside. Wear warm, comfortable clothing to help stay cozy indoors.
- Unplug the devices you don’t need, and keep exterior doors and windows closed to minimize warm air from escaping the home.
- Operate ceiling fans in reverse (which means clockwise in cold months) to help push warm air down to where you can feel it.
- Or, you could bake some treats! When you’re finished baking and the oven is off, open the oven door a crack while your goodies are cooling down.
Here are more permanent measures designed to help keep the cold air out and the warm air in your home where it belongs during wintertime.
Install a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats give you more control over your home’s temperature throughout the day. You don’t need to keep the house at 68° around the clock.
Keep your house warmer while you’re awake, and then program the thermostat to automatically lower the temperature at nighttime or during other times when no one is home. Schedule the temperature to return to normal before you wake up or return home to avoid walking into a cold house.
Turning your thermostat down by seven to ten degrees when the house is empty can save you as much as 10% on your annual bill.
For greater control, choose a smart thermostat allowing you to adjust the temperature from your phone, even when you’re not home. These smart-learning thermostats are based on a combination of current temperature and your preferences and patterns while at home. As the weather outside changes, so will the temperature in your home and, depending on your settings, the thermostat will adjust accordingly.
Make Sure Heating Vents are Open and Not Blocked
You can also help by ensuring warm-air vents, radiators, and other heaters around your home aren’t blocked. Move any rugs, furniture, or curtains obstructing the airflow, and regularly clean these areas.
According to some home care experts, it’s a myth that closing vents in areas of the home not used will save money. Completely closing vents in these rooms can actually cause your system to overwork, resulting in higher energy bills and damage over the course of time. Closing them only about 75% can help pump air into the right areas.
Maintain Furnace Filters
It’s critical to replace furnace filters to prevent dust buildup and to keep your heating system working efficiently. Given today’s hectic speed of life, an air filter subscription service can help you stay on a regular maintenance schedule.
Insulate Windows with Plastic Film or Bubble Wrap
Plastic film and bubble wrap are easy and inexpensive window insulators. Window film insulation kits include transparent shrink film that creates a barrier around drafty windows.
Seal Your Windows
While on the topic of windows, sealing them is another good idea. Replace old caulking and add weather stripping to keep drafts out.
If your windows are due for an upgrade, this is a great time to replace them with storm or insulated windows to improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Boost Insulation
Checking your insulation as winter approaches can be a smart way to save money. The added insulation will help regulate the temperature in your home without energy escaping through the attic or basement.
Keep Your Home Warm and Heating Bill Low
With natural gas prices rising each winter, families across the United States are challenged to find ways to reduce heating costs while still keeping their home a cozy haven against frigid outdoor temperatures.
While 68° may seem low to many, there are benefits to limiting your home to this temperature. Forcing your heating system to keep the interior temperature at a high level with freezing conditions outside can add considerable strain on your HVAC. A furnace that keeps running to try and reach a higher temperature setting will send your heating bills skyward and the added operational stress on your system can raise the risk of a repair in your future.
Keeping a modest temperature setting for home heating this winter will offer adequate warmth for your family indoors. It will also provide energy savings, help keep your heating energy bill costs down, and increase the longevity of your furnace.
We Help Homeowners
Flader Plumbing and Heating is uniquely suited to assist you in determining the solution that best fits your home and family’s needs. We’ve been serving your neighbors and our community for over 100 years and 4 generations.
The Flader Difference
Only Flader Plumbing and Heating delivers:
- The most responsive service. We’re here for you 24/7.
- Personal attention from certified and licensed technicians.
- The most dependable equipment and parts.
- Money-saving maintenance agreements.
- 100% satisfaction guaranteed.
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Flader Plumbing and Heating recommends equipment, models, and brands proven to have the fewest problems and service calls. We specialize in:
Comprehensive Services
Whether you need help preparing your home for winter, you need a new water heater, or the sump pump is acting up, we are knowledgeable and experts in delivering the services you need. Our professional technicians arrive on time, listen to your concerns, and answer your questions. They will recommend the right solution and deliver as promised.
Flader technicians average 15 years of experience and are EPA certified.
Expert service, quality parts, and satisfaction guaranteed. That’s the combination you deserve.
Don’t compromise. Call us at 847-491-6980.
