Finding the ideal thermostat setting for your home is a tricky proposition and it’s all too easy to get into a comfort war with the other people in the home. The fact is that most of us have different ideas about how a room feels warm or cool. This is especially true when it comes to the temperature needs of men and women. We all want to be comfortable when it’s cold outdoors, but we need to avoid high energy bills. In this article, we will look at three tips to keep your home warm in winter without breaking the bank.
1. Setting the Thermostat
According to heating experts, the best average temperature for a home in winter is 68º when you’re at home. This gives you an excellent balance between heating performance and energy efficiency. When you retire to bed, the thermostat can be lowered to approximately 60º, and this can further improve the energy savings. Data released by Energy Star shows that a home can lower the annual heating bill by up to 10% if the thermostat temperature is lowered by 7-10º for 8 hours each day.
2. Find the Optimal Spring Thermostat Setting
For many people, the idea of setting a thermostat to 68º is simply untenable because they will suffer in the cold. It is true that many people have differing ideas about what constitutes a comfortable indoor temperature. The best way to approach this problem is to make gradual adjustments to find the best temperature to meet the needs of everyone. Start at 68º and make 1-2º up or down adjustments each hour to gauge the comfort levels of everyone. If a cold snap arrives it’s tempting to crank the heat up, but making slower changes is the best way to stay comfortable and save money. As the weather warms up, you can scale the thermostat setting back by 1-2º until you’re back down at 68º.
3. Explore Other Comfort Options
If you have a room that feels particularly cold and it’s used regularly, you may want to invest in a space heater to add extra warmth to that space. Choose a space heater that closely matches the dimensions to avoid buying a unit that’s too small or too large. If the indoor environment feels dry, you can add a humidifier to the room to make it feel more comfortable. Dressing in layers with warm winter clothes is a great way to save money and you don’t need to wear a coat to feel warmer. Have some blankets on hand to snuggle under on the couch and bed as you relax at home. If you find any drafts around your door jambs or windows, locate the cracks and seal them. Adding layers of insulation to the attic will keep the heat in and the cold out until the warmer weather arrives. As a last resort, adjust the thermostat using the 1-2º technique we covered earlier until the room feels warm and comfortable.
Getting the Best Out of Your Thermostat
These tips for more efficient winter home heating will be effective, but they are reliant on three key factors that are worthy of your attention:
1. Consider the Thermostat Placement
The thermostat is the central brain of the entire HVAC system, and it contains a sensor to track the ambient temperature and make automatic adjustments. If the thermostat is receiving incorrect readings, it can call for more or less heat which may differ from your comfort needs. There are five locations where you should not place your thermostat. They are kitchens, hallways, near doors or windows, in direct sunlight, and above an air vent. Why? Well, all these areas have regular temperature variances that can confuse your thermostat and, by extension, your heating system.
2. Consider a Thermostat Upgrade
A programmable or smart thermostat is a great upgrade for your home heating system. These units have improved programming and monitoring features that will improve performance and energy efficiency. The best thermostat can be programmed remotely via a dedicated app to ensure that the home is only heated when necessary. If you’re delayed at work and you need to set the heating back by an hour, it’s easy to make on the fly adjustments. It’s even possible to track energy use with a smart thermostat to achieve maximum efficiency for your heating system.
3. Check the Sensor and Battery
Many common HVAC problems can be traced to the thermostat, and some are easy to fix without special training and tools. If you take the cover off the thermostat, you can easily locate the sensor, which can be covered with a layer of dust. This delivers false readings, which can confuse the HVAC system leading to short cycling. This is when the heating and cooling equipment turns on and off again rapidly. Short cycling consumes a lot of energy and it places the equipment under extra strain which damages components and shortens the lifespan. Next, check the battery to make sure that it’s charged, and make a note to check the battery every month. This may seem surprising, but many people call for an HVAC technician to visit their homes because their system is not working. When they get there, the technician quickly realizes that the thermostat battery has failed and the entire system won’t run until it’s replaced. This is a simple and inexpensive fix that can turn into an expensive mistake.
The Importance of Regular Maintenance
It’s important to schedule some regular heating maintenance at least one month before the heating season arrives. This will prepare the equipment for the colder months ahead and any potential problems can be solved while the weather is still relatively warm. Changing the air filter regularly is a great way to improve performance and energy efficiency. But, there are many maintenance tasks that should be carried out by an HVAC technician.
If you want to upgrade your thermostat or schedule some essential maintenance, contact your local heating and cooling specialist.