What Is the Best Thermostat Temperature When Not at Home: Winter Tips
In Long Island, homes that use propane can expect to spend between $2.10 and $4 a gallon during the winter months. That can result in spending $1,800-$2,500 to heat your home in the winter.
Is your heating bill climbing too high already this winter season? Are you looking for ways to cut heating costs and make your home more energy efficient?
One simple thing you can do to reduce your energy bill is to adjust your thermostat temperature. Want to learn what is the best thermostat temperature when you’re away? Keep reading for tips for setting your thermostat when you’re not home and other energy-saving tips for the winter.
Why Adjust Your Thermostat?
If you think you’re spending too much on your energy bill during the winter, there are things you can do to reduce costs.
You can save nearly 30% on your energy bill with a combination of energy-saving actions including proper equipment maintenance and upgrades and by setting the thermostat.
The Best Thermostat Temperature Setting
Wondering what is the best thermostat temperature for when you’re home or out of the home?
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, in the winter, you can save energy by programming the thermostat to about 68 degrees F during the day when you’re home.
You can reduce your energy use even more by setting the thermostat lower when you’re not home or when you’re asleep. During the summer, you can also save money on cooling costs by setting the thermostat to 78 degrees F when you’re home.
Consider a Programmable Thermostat
If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set the thermostat for different temperatures throughout the day. That way, you would not have to manually adjust the temperature during different times of the day.
For example, you can adjust the temperature for when you know you will be at work and the house will be empty. During the winter, you can warm up the house shortly before you arrive home so that the temperature is comfortable for you.
You can also program the thermostat to a certain temperature at night when you sleep. There are also smart programmable thermostats that you can program through your smartphone. This way, you can adjust the temperature even if you’re not home.
The Best Thermostat Temperature When You’re Away
Wondering what to set your thermostat temperature for when you’re not home?
If you’re planning on taking a vacation during the winter, you can set the thermostat to 50-55 degrees F.
You don’t want to turn off your heating completely. You want to keep the heating on so that the pipes don’t freeze. What’s more, you don’t want to waste all that energy heating up the house when you return from your vacation.
During the summer, you can set the thermostat to 85-90 degrees F when you go on vacation. You don’t want the house to overheat because it may affect certain appliances such as your refrigerator.
Additional Tips for Saving on Your Heating Bill During the Winter
Want to learn more money-saving tips for the winter? Here are additional things you can do to save on your energy bill during the colder months.
Wear Layers
Are you used to dressing like it’s summer even during the winter months while the heat blasts away? You can change things up and wear warm clothing so that you can lower the temperature of your thermostat during the winter. This is a simple way to stay warm without having to crank up your heater. It’s also an excuse to wear your coziest pajamas.
Check the Insulation of Your Home
If you have your heater on, but your home is still not warming up, it may be due to poor insulation in your home. The first place to check is the attic. Older homes that have not had insulation replaced lose heat through the attic since heat rises.
Use the Warmth of the Sun
During the day, you can open your windows and blinds and let the sunshine in. The heat from the sun can help warm up your home.
You can do the opposite during the summer. You can close the blinds during the day so that your home stays cool.
Equipment Maintenance
Another tip is setting a regular maintenance schedule for your HVAC unit. This can help increase the efficiency of your heater during the winter and your air conditioner during the summer.
What’s more, you should regularly change the filter of your heater. Over time, dust can accumulate in the filter. This makes your heater work harder than it needs to. This puts additional stress on your heater to work harder which can lead to higher heating bills.
Work with your propane company to ensure your propane tank lines, pressure systems, and venting systems are working at their best. Propane maintenance is key to ensuring your fuel system works efficiently.
Consider Upgrading to an Energy Efficient Heater
Is your heater reaching the end of its service life? You want to replace your heating system before it fails. Otherwise, you will be rushing to find a heater replacement.
How long does a heating system last? The answer depends on the type of heating system you have and how well it’s maintained.
On average a furnace lasts 15-20 years. Boilers can last up to 30 years.
Is your heating system older? Are you experiencing heating bills that seem to be rising every year or every month?
It might be more cost-efficient, in the long run, to upgrade your system to a newer, energy-efficient heater. This way, you can save on your energy bills and heat your home more efficiently.
Final Thoughts on Adjusting Your Thermostat Temperature
By figuring out the best thermostat temperature for when you’re home or when you’re out of the home, you can help save on your energy bill and keep your home comfortable and warm during the winter.
Adjusting your thermostat temperature is one easy way to reduce your heating bill.
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