As winter draws near and the temperature dips, finding ways to save money on your power bills becomes a top priority. One of the best techniques is modifying your thermostat settings to optimize energy usage without losing comfort.

With numerous options and techniques available, you can lower your heating costs while still trying to keep your home cozy throughout the chilly season. Irrespective of whether you prefer a programmable thermostat or manual device, there are many ways to find the perfect balance between warmth and savings.

Overall, a good guideline is the lower the temperature in 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 your monthly energy costs.

Best Thermostat Settings While You Are at Home

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

Effective Temperature Settings While You Are Away

The DOE estimates you can save as much as 10% on your heating costs by lowering 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.

Industry professionals 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. This will be warm enough it 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 get back to your house, increase the temperature slowly. That will keep your heating system from running too hard, which could be the case if you raise the temperature on your thermostat quite high right away.

Suggested Thermostat Settings While You Are Asleep

The great news about sleep-time thermostat settings in the winter is that people get good sleep when it’s a little colder. The National Sleep Foundation suggests somewhere between 66 and 70 degrees is the optimal temperature range for great sleep.

Other Tactics to Use Less Energy on Your HVAC in Winter

There are several other approaches you can use to consume less energy this winter while you heat your home. They include:

Evaluate your insulation levels

Insulate doors, windows and walls to reduce drafts, keep warm air inside and counter heat loss. This will decrease the workload on your heating equipment and save energy.

Install a programmable thermostat

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

For even more savings, buy a smart thermostat that can detect when you are in or out and modify the temperature appropriately. To learn more about these gadgets or for smart thermostat installation in Mechanicsburg, get a hold of the skilled technicians at H & H Service Company. We can tell you how smart thermostats can benefit your home's comfort—and your pocketbook.

H3: Plan furnace maintenance:

Plan to hire someone to do regular maintenance for your HVAC system. A well-maintained furnace functions more efficiently, decreasing energy consumption and potentially avoiding costly repairs. Clean or change air filters on a regular basis to ensure proper airflow.

For furnace maintenance in Mechanicsburg, call the team at H & H Service Company. Our trained technicians will get your system in peak condition!

Seal air leaks

Locate and close off any air leaks in your home. Typical places for leaks are windows, doors, attic hatches and ductwork. Plugging these gaps stops warm air from seeping out, making your HVAC system work less to maintain a comfy temperature.

Improve your HVAC system

If your HVAC equipment is old, inefficient or just isn’t able to keep your home as warm as you desire, furnace replacement may be a smart long-term decision. Modern day furnaces are very efficient, which can significantly reduce your monthly bills compared to an old or inefficient model.

If you’re thinking about upgrading to a new heating system, phone the specialists at H & H Service Company. We’re noted for skilled furnace installation in Mechanicsburg and will help you find a unit that’s perfect for your home! Call 717-220-4502 today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation estimate!