As winter gets closer and the temperature falls, finding ways to save money on your energy bills becomes a top priority. One of the most effective strategies is modifying your thermostat settings to optimize energy usage without compromising comfort.
With many options and techniques available, homeowners can decrease your heating costs while still keeping your home cozy throughout the chilly season. Regardless of whether you prefer a programmable thermostat or manual device, there are many ways to find the appropriate balance between warmth and savings.
In general, a good guideline is the lower the temperature within your home and the less difference there is between the air inside your home and the outdoor temperature, the more money you will save on your monthly energy costs.
Best Thermostat Settings While You Are at Home
When you’re around your home, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) suggests dialing your thermostat to between 68°F and 70°F in the winter. That’s warm enough to keep lots of families comfortable, but also low enough to be energy efficient.
Effective Temperature Settings While You Going to Be Out of Your Home
The DOE reports you can save approximately 10% on your home heating costs by turning down your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. This way, you’re not throwing away money heating your home while you’re not there.
Experts say, if you are going on vacation or will be gone a prolonged period of time, you can adjust your thermostat as low as 50 degrees. Doing this will keep your furnace running so you don’t have any frozen or burst pipes cause damage to your home while you're gone.
When you get back to your house, turn up the temperature little by little. That will keep your heating system from performing too hard, which could be the case if you raise the temperature on your thermostat quite high right away.
Cost-Efficient Thermostat Settings While You Are Sleeping
The great news about sleep-time thermostat settings in the winter is that people get good sleep when it’s a little colder. The National Sleep Foundation suggests somewhere between 66 and 70 degrees is the optimal temperature range for great sleep.
Other Tactics to Use Less Energy on Your HVAC in Winter
There are many other techniques you can employ so you consume less energy this winter while you heat your home. They include:
Evaluate your insulation levels
Insulate doors, windows and walls to minimize drafts, keep warm air inside and prevent heat loss. This will decrease the workload on your furnace and save energy.
Set up a programmable thermostat
Put in a programmable thermostat to manage the temperature in your home effortlessly. Set lower temperatures when you're out of your home or asleep and increase them only when required.
For even more savings, buy a smart thermostat that can perceive when you are in or out and change the temperature accordingly. To learn more about these devices or for smart thermostat installation in Tucker, contact the skilled technicians at ACS Heating and Air Conditioning. We can provide you with information about how smart thermostats can help your home's comfort—and your pocketbook.
H3: Plan furnace maintenance:
Plan to hire someone to do regular maintenance for your HVAC system. A well-maintained heating system operates more efficiently, lowering energy consumption and potentially avoiding costly repairs. Clean or replace air filters regularly to make sure your unit has proper airflow.
For furnace maintenance in Tucker, call the team at ACS Heating and Air Conditioning. We will get your system in excellent working order!
Seal air leaks
Detect and seal any air leaks in your home. Common places for leaks tend to be windows, doors, attic hatches and ductwork. Closing these gaps prevents warm air from seeping out, making your HVAC system work less to maintain a sufficient temperature.
Update your HVAC system
If your HVAC equipment is old, inefficient or just isn’t able to keep your home as warm as you want, furnace replacement may be an ideal long-term decision. Contemporary furnaces are extremely efficient, which can notably lower your monthly bills compared to an old or inefficient model.
If you’re interested in investing in a new heating system, phone the specialists at ACS Heating and Air Conditioning. We’re known for knowledgeable furnace installation in Tucker and will help you pick a unit that’s ideal for your home! Call 770-450-1539 today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation estimate!