Best Temperature for Your Heater in Winter

Learn how to save energy in the winter, yet still be comfortable in your home.

Now that the air is colder outside and you’ve switched from using the central air conditioner to the furnace, you might be looking for ways to save energy – and money – this season. One useful technique is to set the thermostat to the best temperature for your heater in the winter, at least ten degrees cooler than normal, so you don’t overwork your furnace and it consumes less energy. If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, consider installing one to enjoy maximum energy savings this winter without compromising comfort.

How to Save Energy in Winter

• What Temperature Should I Set My Thermostat in Winter for Energy Savings? - It's a common debate in most homes: What temperature is too cold for a house? While everyone's threshold for too cold or too warm is different, according to Energy.gov, in the morning and evening when people are at home, the recommended thermostat setting in winter is 68 degrees. If you're cold natured, wear warm clothing to stay comfortable. If you still feel chilly, turn up the temperature one degree at a time. Cranking the temperature up too high at once only wastes money.
  
  During the day when everyone’s at work or school, set the thermostat to 10 to 15 degrees cooler. You’ll save energy by reducing how much you heat the vacant house. Don’t turn off the thermostat completely or you risk frozen plumbing pipes. Program a recovery temperature of 68 degrees to resume before the first person is due home each day. At night when everyone’s asleep, set the thermostat to 65 degrees or lower. The greater the temperature setback, the more you save. Program a recovery temperature of 68 degrees to resume before your alarm clock goes off in the morning. You can see how installing a programmable thermostat can help you stay comfortable while lowering your energy costs.

• Change the Furnace Filter - Dirty furnace filters restrict airflow and make your furnace work harder, which increases energy use and makes your heating bills climb. Changing the furnace filter often saves you money on your energy bills and helps maintain the airflow you need to keep every room comfortable.

• Run a Whole-House Humidifier - Cold air is naturally drier, which is why static shock, dry skin, and chapped lips are so prevalent this time of year. Running a humidifier is a great way to combat these symptoms and even helps you save money. After all, humid air feels warmer because less moisture evaporates from your skin when the air is already saturated. This means that even those who get chilly are more likely to be comfortable at the ideal 68 degrees when you run a whole-house humidifier.

• Zone your House for more comfort - Zoning is also useful for keeping the rooms you're in comfortable without heating the entire house. With zoning, you control the temperature in individual areas of your home with multiple thermostats. When you zone the bedrooms separately from the living area, for example, you ensure you stay comfortable while keeping your energy bills low.

• Seal Up Air Leaks - To help maintain the proper indoor temperature this winter, it’s important to seal air leaks that allow cold outdoor air to enter. Caulking and weather-stripping leaky windows and doors are effective ways to cut down on drafts, keeping your home more comfortable while spending less on heating bills.

• Add Insulation - Like a thermos, insulation helps keep heat inside your home. Once you seal any attic floor penetrations (openings that penetrate your attic floor), lay down a thick layer of insulation. This is the most cost-effective location to boost insulation in a finished home.