Preparing for the winter season can be stressful, especially when you want to stay comfortable inside your home while freezing temperatures rage outdoors. During the winter, your home should be cozy and warm to keep you healthy and comfortable. Setting your thermostat to meet everyone’s needs can be tricky, but there is an optimal heat setting that will keep your home energy efficient and comfortable for most residents. This blog will dive into optimal heat settings for different types of the day and how you can ensure your HVAC system isn’t overworked.
Optimal Heat Setting When You Are Home
When you are inside your home, doing chores, making dinner, or just lounging, the optimal heat setting is between 68 degrees Fahrenheit and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Finding a balance between everyone’s personal comfort and energy savings is where you should set your thermostat.
Lowering your thermostat even just 1 degree can provide as much as 1-2% on your energy bills. However, extreme climates may need to increase interior temperatures compared to more mild climates.
Optimal Heat Setting When No One Is Home
Lowering your thermostat when sleeping or while at work can save you thousands each year. Setting the thermostat about 5 degrees lower than normal will save you money because you are not heating a home while it is not in use. Smart thermostats can help make this process easier by lowering the temperature at a specific time and then raising it when more people are in the home. This gives you greater control over your internal temperature, when you are home and when you are away.
Other Factors To Consider
Home HVAC systems work best when all other elements are in place to help prevent them from overworking. Considering the age of your home, your schedule, and your insulation will help you better understand what the optimal heat setting is for your home.
Outside Temperature
As the outdoor temperature changes, so should your thermostat setting. During the night, temperatures can drop compared to when the sun is out during the day. Lowering your thermostat during the night can save up to 15% on yearly heating costs. It is recommended to sleep colder, so during sleeping hours or when the house is unoccupied it is optimal all year round.
Home Insulation
A well-insulated home retains heat better, which means you will be prevented from overworking the HVAC system. Without sacrificing comfort, insulation will help you keep your home warmer without the need to raise your thermostat temperature during the winter.
Humidity Levels
Humidity will impact how hot or cold it feels, regardless of the actual temperature. Proper humidity levels should be about 30 to 50% inside the home in order to keep the home comfortable during the winter. Having higher humidity levels can help the home feel more comfortable at a lower temperature.
Smart Thermostats For Winter Weather
Having a programmable thermostat can help you save money on HVAC costs all year long, but especially in the winter. Having a smart thermostat allows you to program specific times of the day to lower energy costs. Lowering the temperature or tracking the humidity in your home can be done from your phone or computer to adjust the comfort for when you come home.
Smart thermostats can learn the comings and goings of your schedule as well, which means you can worry less about controlling the temperature. Many thermostats can provide energy usage reports to help homeowners learn their heating habits and how they can save money in the future.
Heating Options From Connect Heating And Air
Connect offers the most modern and affordable options for heating your home. During the winter, heating your home can feel expensive, but with the right energy-efficient system you can keep your home comfortable without the stress. Connect also helps you maintain and repair your home’s systems. This way you will have peace of mind about the state of your home and limit the number of repairs you need to complete.
Whether you need a new system or want to improve your current one, our technicians can help you. We work on residential and commercial spaces to give them proper comfortability and energy efficiency. Contact us to learn more about our services and schedule an appointment!
