(ThePennyWatcher.com) – How many times have we had this same question amongst our spouses. Should we turn off the heat when not home, or maintain a consistent set temperature?
What is the most efficient way to manage your thermostat?
Best Methods for Saving Money
Make sure to lower the thermostat when you’re away or asleep. And you can program your thermostat to automatically lower the temperature to say 72 degrees for example when the house is empty at night, or when you’re away at work.
The people in the know here say to aim for a reduction of 5-10°F for maximum savings.
Many people may not do this, but if you can it can be worth it. Set different temperatures for different zones. So if you have a multi-zone heating system, you can adjust the temperature in different rooms based on usage.
Keep your bedrooms cooler than living areas for example.
You can even go a bit farther and set your thermostat to automatically adjust the temperatures to lower settings during specific times of the day, like early mornings or late evenings.
Optimize Your Heating System:
It’s important to maintain regular maintenance of your system, and ensure your heating system is properly serviced by a professional. Set reminders via your phone or in house Alexa to make sure it’s always top of mind.
Many folks find that their basic insulation in certain areas is lacking, so checking on this with a certified professional can be a huge help as well. Air leaks around windows, doors, and other openings can really cause additional air moving on, so seal those up tight!
Do you have an old out of date looking thermostat? If you do, consider installing a smart thermostat that allows for greater control and automation. All of these small changes greatly increases the efficiency of your system.
Additional Tips:
Now that you have the must do’s of monitoring the effectiveness of your system, you can incorporate these other factors where needed.
Make sure you are using your fans strategically. Ceiling fans can help circulate warm air throughout the room, making you feel warmer at a lower thermostat setting.
Utilize natural light: Make use of that good ol sunlight by opening curtains and blinds during sunny days to let natural light warm your home.
And to reduce the stress on your heating system, make sure to enjoy that nice fireplace or hot stove periodically.
