This Thermostat Trick Can Cut Your Heating Bill This Winter, HVAC Pros Say

Setting the temperature too high on your thermostat in winter can eat up a lot of electricity, leading to high energy bills. This can also put stress on the heating system, forcing it to work harder to keep up with demands. Setting the temperature too low can make your home uncomfortable and may even cause the pipes to freeze or burst.

So what is the best thermostat setting for winter?

What Is the Lowest Comfortable Temperature?

Generally, keeping the temperature within a range of 64°F to 75°F will ensure the home is comfortable for the vast majority of people.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that the temperature indoors during the winter should be set no lower than 64 degree Fahrenheit while people are home and awake.

If infants, elderly individuals, or anyone with significant health problems reside in the home, the minimum temperature should be maintained above 68°F.

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What Is the Best Thermostat Setting for Winter?

If you had to choose just one temperature setting, 68°F is likely the best option for most households. This temperature strikes a balance between warm and cool.

Setting the thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit keeps the home warm enough to counteract any heat loss through the windows, doors, or walls of the home, without inadvertently overheating the home and driving up the cost of your electric bill.

However, simply leaving the temperature at 68°F indefinitely isn’t the best way to reduce your electric bills or keep the home comfortable. Instead, you should lower the temperature by as much as seven to 10 degrees at night, when your body’s temperature naturally drops.

Similarly, dropping the temperature by 7°F to 10°F during the middle of the day if the home is unoccupied can help reduce unnecessary energy waste. Following this practice throughout the winter can help save as much as 10 percent on your home heating bills.

Where to Put the Thermostat for the Best Efficiency

To create a comfortable and energy-efficient household, you also need to position the thermostat in a suitable location so that it can take accurate temperature readings. Generally, the best place to put the thermostat is in or near the center of the home.

You should position the thermostat on the main floor, mounted to an interior wall in the middle of the house, with some consideration toward which rooms people use most, since you will want the temperature to be the most comfortable in these high-traffic locations.

Placing the thermostat too near a heat source could cause the rest of the home to feel cold throughout the winter, while putting it too close to a window or door could cause the heating system to overheat the home.

For the best results, avoid installing the thermostat in the following locations:

• Anywhere that exposes the thermostat to direct sunlight
• Above air vents
• Kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms
• Hallways, stairwells, or closets
• Close to doors or windows
• Near the furnace, fireplace, or other heat-producing appliances

How to Save Money on Heating in Winter

To keep your home comfortable and heating costs to a minimum, use these methods to help save money on heating in winter.

• Consider switching to an alternate electricity provider if possible to get a better rate.
• Close the doors and vents in any unused rooms to improve heating efficiency in occupied living spaces.
• Keep up with regular home maintenance, including sealing cracks or gaps around the windows and doors, as well as having the HVAC system professionally inspected at least once a year to address any potential problems before they happen.
• Dress warmly and make good use of blankets before turning the thermostat up a few degrees.
• Turn the temperature down during the night and when the home is unoccupied during the day to reduce overall energy waste and keep more money in your pocket.

How to Gradually Lower the Heat Setting

When cold weather hits and the temperature outside drops, it only makes sense to set the thermostat higher than it was during the sweltering summer heat. This is especially true during the first few weeks of fall or winter as your body acclimates to the changing temperatures.

After you’ve had several weeks to adjust to the winter weather, the temperature indoors can start to feel uncomfortably warm. This is a sign that the thermostat setting is too high and needs to be lowered to a more acceptable temperature. Lowering the temperature indoors doesn’t just help your body acclimate to the cold weather and feel comfortable indoors; it also increases energy savings and reduces the stress on the HVAC system.

In order to avoid hitting a wall of heat indoors, try to lower the temperature by one degree per week until you reach an average thermostat setting of about 68°F. This gradual process makes it easier for your body to adjust to the change, instead of suddenly dropping the temperature by several degrees.

Thermostat and HVAC Maintenance

If the thermostat isn’t working properly, it can cause the home to feel too hot or too cold and may lead to unexpected costs on your heating bill. Keep up with these regular maintenance tasks in order to ensure the thermostat and HVAC system are operating normally this winter.

• Plan and stick to a regular maintenance schedule.
• Check the thermostat settings and test the accuracy.
• Change the batteries as necessary.
• Clean the thermostat regularly to remove any dust or debris.
• Replace the thermostat about once every 10 to 15 years.
• Clean or replace the HVAC air filter about once every one to three months.
• Have the furnace and HVAC system inspected and serviced once a year.
• Keep vents unobstructed by furniture, curtains, or other items.
• Make repairs as soon as possible to prevent problems from getting worse.
• Inspect and clean the condensate line as needed.
• Clean the blower and ducts about once a year.
• Keep the area around the HVAC system clean and clear of obstructions.
• Repair drafty doors and windows to reduce the strain on the system.

Why You Should Consider a Programmable Thermostat

Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats can make it even easier to control the temperature of your home by giving you the option to change the thermostat setting through your phone, tablet, or other mobile device, so if you forgot to drop the temperature by a few degrees during the day, you can make this change from your office at work.

You can also invest in a programmable thermostat that can be set up with specific operating procedures and patterns, allowing you to adopt the set-it-and-forget-it mentality. Simply choose the ideal temperature for the home and the time when you want the temperature to change, such as programming the thermostat to drop the temperature by seven to 10 degrees at a certain time of night or when you leave during the day.

These thermostats often feature a locking function so they can’t be changed manually, and some smart thermostats will also be able to integrate with other smart home appliances to further enhance home automation and user convenience.