How to Set Your Thermostat for Winter

Winter is just around the corner. That means your furnace is about to wake up from its slumber and go to work throughout the cold season. Your pocketbook might have accepted that your energy costs will increase over the coming months, but your mind should not.

Other than tackling residential window replacement, learning how to optimize your thermostat for winter can dramatically reduce your energy usage and keep more dollars in your wallet. Read on as California Energy Consultant Service shares some pieces of advice.

Target 68°F

Figure out your desired indoor temperature when you are at home during the daytime to determine the highest level of heating your furnace will maintain. But try to aim for 68°F or something close to it.

According to ENERGY STAR®, this temperature generally offers the perfect blend of energy efficiency and comfort. If you have high-performance windows, you may be able to go below that number because less heat would pass through the glass.

Avoid Manual Temperature Adjustment

Choosing to adjust your thermostat settings manually every single time is a bad idea. At some point, you might forget about it and waste a ton of energy before you realize your mistake.

If you do not have a programmable thermostat already, upgrade your current device now. Unlike humans, programmable thermostats do not forget to change temperature settings at different times throughout the day, provided that they have fresh batteries.

Lower Thermostat Settings Gradually

Any HVAC and window replacement expert will attest that your family can eventually get used to the cold climate. As you and your loved ones adapt to chilly weather, set your thermostat one or two degrees down. The Department of Energy believes that you can reduce your annual energy consumption by 1% for every degree reduction for eight hours a day. It may not seem like much, but small savings over time will definitely add up in the end.

Turn to California Energy Consultant Service to ready your entire HVAC system — and the rest of your house — for winter. Call us at (916) 239-7779 now to schedule your free consultation in Rancho Cordova or Sacramento, CA.