As winter approaches and the temperature drops, finding ways to save money on your power bills becomes a top priority. One of the most effective strategies is changing your thermostat settings to optimize energy usage without losing comfort.

With many options and techniques available, homeowners can reduce your heating costs while still making your home cozy throughout the chilly season. Whether you prefer a programmable thermostat or manual device, there are plenty of ways to find the appropriate balance between warmth and savings.

Overall, a good rule is the lower the temperature inside your home and the less difference there is between the air inside your home and the outside temperature, the more money you will save on heating.

Ideal Thermostat Settings While You Are at Home

When you’re going to be home, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) advises putting your thermostat to between 68°F and 70°F in the winter. That’s warm enough to keep the majority of families comfortable, but also low enough to be energy efficient.

Effective Temperature Settings While You Going to Be Out of Your Home

The DOE states you can save as much as 10% on your energy costs by decreasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. This way, you’re not needlessly spending money heating your home while you’re not there.

Experts say, if you are going on vacation or will be gone a prolonged period of time, you can set your thermostat as low as 50 degrees. Doing this will keep your furnace running so you don’t have any frozen or burst pipes cause damage to your home while you're gone.

When you return to your home, raise the temperature slowly. That will keep your heating system from performing too hard, which it could if you raise the temperature on your thermostat quite high right away.

Suggested Thermostat Settings While You Are Asleep

The nice thing about sleep-time thermostat settings in the winter is that people sleep better when it’s a little colder. The National Sleep Foundation says somewhere between 66 and 70 degrees is the ideal temperature range for quality sleep.

Additional Ways to Use Less Energy on Your HVAC in Winter

There are several other ways you can employ so you consume less energy this winter while you heat your home. They include:

Check your insulation levels

Insulate doors, windows and walls to minimize drafts, keep warm air inside and avoid heat loss. This will decrease the pressure on your furnace and save energy.

Set up a programmable thermostat

Purchase a programmable thermostat to control the temperature in your home effortlessly. Set lower temperatures when you're out of your home or asleep and increase them only when needed.

For even more savings, purchase a smart thermostat that can detect when you are in or out and adjust the temperature correctly. To learn more about these gadgets or for smart thermostat installation in Branchville, contact the skilled technicians at Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc.. We can tell you how smart thermostats can benefit your home's comfort—and your pocketbook.

H3: Schedule furnace maintenance:

Plan to hire someone to do regular maintenance for your heating and cooling system. A well-maintained system functions more efficiently, lowering energy consumption and probably avoiding costly repairs. Clean or replace air filters routinely to assure proper airflow.

For furnace maintenance in Branchville, call the team at Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc.. Our specialists will get your system in excellent working order!

Seal air leaks

Find and seal any air leaks in your home. Common places for leaks tend to be windows, doors, attic hatches and ductwork. Closing these gaps stops warm air from leaking out of your home, making your HVAC system work less to maintain a sufficient temperature.

Update your HVAC system

If your heating system is old, inefficient or just isn’t able to keep your home as warm as you need, furnace replacement may be an ideal long-term decision. Contemporary furnaces are extremely efficient, which can considerably lower your monthly bills compared to an old or inefficient model.

If you’re contemplating investing in a new heating system, phone the pros at Willco Air Conditioning, Refrigeration & Heating Inc.. We’re recognized for knowledgeable furnace installation in Branchville and will help you pick a unit that’s perfect for your home! Call 862-345-6896 today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation estimate!