We are in fall now, and winter is fast approaching, at this time of year it is natural to think about the cold months to come. A well maintained heating system is a crucial part of many families winter plans. During a cold snap, it is always tempting to turn the thermostat up by a degree or perhaps more to combat the additional cold. Have you ever wondered how much it costs financially to turn up a thermostat in this way?
The True Financial Cost of Heating:
In order to answer our question we can refer to some research, that was carried out by EnergyHub. They looked into the financial cost of raising the temperature in an average American home by just one degree. Their conclusion was a 3% rise in the cost of energy for a single additional degree of heat. As an example: if you ran your heater at a one degree higher temperature for an entire month, your heating bill would increase by 3%, if your average monthly heating bill is $100 it would go up to $103. Now these are tests carried out under controlled conditions, and there are additional variables that may come into play. A prime example of this would be the difference between an energy efficient furnace and an older model. Another consideration is the external weather conditions if it is extremely cold outside it will cost more to use the heater anyway, so raising the temperature by one degree will cost even more.
Controlling the Level of Heating in the Home:
The problem with manually adjusting the thermostat is that the new level can easily be forgotten. In the previous example, we cited an increase of a single degree over an entire month rather than one particular night. There is a good reason for that, many people that use their thermostats in this way forget that they altered them and consequently end up using more heating even after a cold snap has passed. This is where most of the additional costs accumulate as it could be months later when the error is spotted. If this situation seems familiar to you, it may be time to consider making a switch to a more controllable thermostat.
Modern Thermostats Make Heating Cool:
A modern programmable or WiFi thermostat can make an incredible difference to the quality of comfort in your home. Additionally, you will find that your energy bills are lower because of the level of control available. Many people may already be familiar with the programmable thermostat which can be programmed to change the temperature at specific times of the day. A WiFi thermostat is a similar concept taken to the next level with control options that are set from a smart phone or tablet using an internet connection. This is a learning system that will get used to how you use your heating and adjust accordingly. Both of these thermostats offer a level of control that was unheard of up until recently. Learning how to use them correctly is easy, your home will be at the temperature you need at any time, and your bank balance will be healthier.