NV Energy
Heating your home at winter in Henderson can consume a lot of energy, many homeowners aks the question: "What temperature should I set my thermostat during colder months?". Of course every homeowner has its temperature preference, financial and energy usage concerns also differ from one family and home to the other, so answering to this question can be a bit tricky. But if you need to find a way to reduce heating costs and keep your family warm throughout the winter months in Henderson, NV, then we can give you a few tips and some general recommendations for the "optimal" winter Thermostat settings.
Ready to learn how to save energy and money with your thermostat? - let's get started!
First of all, it's important to know that there are 3 types of thermostats:
- Manual Thermostats
- Programmable thermostats
- Smart and Wifi-Enabled Thermostats
Manual Thermostats are the most commonly used thermostat model in homes. Manual thermostats are inherently user friendly, and are easy to maneuver for those who are not tech-savvy. But if you really want to make a change that can quickly lower your home heating and cooling costs, then consider installing a programmable thermostat. They work for both heating and cooling and instead of having to manually change thermostat settings multiple times a day to achieve the maximum energy savings, a homeowner can set the automated thermostat once for the household’s daily or weekly needs. The key feature of smart thermostat is that you’re able to control the temperature settings directly from your smartphone or other connected device. Assuming that you have an active internet connection on your smartphone you can easily program it wherever you are and whenever you need, so that it will adjust the temperature before you arrive home for example. Smart thermostat can be programmed quickly and easily on a daily basis, once you’ve gone to bed or when you wake up — no more running around because you forgot to adjust the thermostat!
General rules for optimal thermostat settings during the winter:
- Daytime (everyone at home)
If someone is at home then 72° F (22° C) is the optimal temperature.
Want to maximise the savings while still keeping temperature relatively comfortable? - then aim for 68° F (20° C). - Nighttime (or everyone is away from home in the daytime)
For adults the best room temperature for sleep is 66° F (19° C), some people even prefer 59 F (15° C).
62° F (17° C) is best for a good balance between comfort and maximum savings.
You have to consider variables when setting your thermostat, like time of day, how many people are home, and your home’s size so adjust the thermostat in 5-8 degree increments if needed. Adjusting your thermostat settings throughout the day and night can make everyone comfortable and drastically reduce energy bills for home heating. Reducing your thermostat to 68-62 F at night and when no one is home can reduce your HVAC heating bill by 20% or more each month.
Few additional tips:
- Choose a temperature everyone can enjoy, improve your sleep by keeping your home temperature lower at night.
- Adapt to the lower temperatures & gradually lower temperature settings, try to decrease your home’s temperature by 1 degree each week.
- Use a multi-zone heating and cooling system to be able to adjust temperature zones for different areas of your home.
- Invest in a programmable thermostat - this type of thermostat can be used to control the thermostat and temperature in your home automatically.
- Closing doors and vents to unused rooms makes it easier for the home's furnace to deliver the desired temperature to occupied living spaces. Seal cracks around the windows or door jambs.
- Seal your Heating and Cooling Ducts - about 20% of the air that moves through the duct system can be lost to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts.
- Dressing a bit more warmly, even while inside the home, will make your family less reliant on the furnace heating up your indoor spaces, allowing you to turn down the thermostat for another degree or two.
- Schedule an annual furnace/heater maintenance and inspection - if you don’t keep your heating system maintained, then you could find yourself left out in the cold with high utility bills and frequent repairs. Change your air filter regularly, at least once in a quarter (each month is a much better option though) to ensure enough fresh air reaches your HVAC unit.
Start Saving Energy Today
You must measure your family's desired comfort against the price you're willing to pay for your winter heating bills. Employing the tips and strategies above can help you find that optimal and comfortable winter thermostat setting for you and all of your family members. According to ENERGYSTAR.gov, the ideal home energy-saving temperatures should be in between 62 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. To maximize energy efficiency, turning your thermostat up or down by 8 degrees while you’re at home or away from your home can help reduce your heating and cooling costs and stay comfortable.
