Setting your thermostat is a kind of task that is relatively easy to do. In fact, because it is so simple, most people overlook the importance of knowing how to control and manage it wisely. For those who don’t know, setting the thermostat low in certain instances will correspond to saving up to $100 per year.
The use of the thermostat is born out of the need of comfort. It is very important in winter and the cold seasons. However, setting it too high in most instances, especially during winter will result in higher energy bills. So the question we’d like to answer is how do you keep your thermostat set low in order to save on energy bills but at the same time keep the room temperature up? At first look, it seems contradictory, but it actually can be done.
Setting Your Thermostat: Helping You Save Money
By the mere action of thermostat installation, you are already saving on your energy bills. As a matter of fact, by merely turning it down by one degree will allow you to save about $70 or even more annually, and you’re also improving your home’s heat efficiency in the process.
Improving Heat Efficiency
Some homes have one thermostat for the entire living space while others have one in each room. The number of thermostats you have basically depends on the type of heating system you currently use. In order to set your thermostat, all you have to do is pick the ideal temperature you’re comfortable with. You just do it by turning a dial. There are also those types where the controls have up and down buttons, like a digital thermostat.
By common practice, the ideal room temperature for the home is about 18 degrees centigrade. There are times when it has to be higher like 20 for living spaces with older residents. Now in order to get the most out of your thermostat, you have to set it to the lowest possible comfortable temperature. Keep in mind that can increase, say for one degree, will add about $70 in your annual energy bills.
So if you do have only one thermostat at home, the timer will be usually found attached to the boiler system. But be reminded that some heating systems vary in their specs. The timer will provide you with options on programming the time you want your heater to turn one and off. If you want to have added convenience, you can purchase a separate programmable thermostat controller.
Tips on Keeping the Room Temperature Up
Sometimes, you don’t have to keep the thermostat up just to secure warmth inside, amidst the cold weather outside. There are instances when you can actually set it low and still maintain a warm temperature inside. For instance, if you have visitors and lots of people are crowding your living space one at the same time, you can confidently turn down the thermostat a few degrees. You can do this because the body heat from the people will allow the room to get warmer than usual.
Also, be sure you cover all drafts and leaks in your home. They can be the exit the heat is looking for. Also, the drafts become the entry point of cold air coming from the outside. Seal them up and you can practically turn up the thermostat for a short period of time and then turn it down while maintaining an ideal room temperature.
Provided you’re using separate thermostats in every room, it is practical to zone your heating. What it means is that you can keep temperatures high in those rooms that you frequently go to or stay while turning the thermostats down or simply low in those rooms that you don’t really spend some significant time.
In the end, keeping your thermostat low doesn’t always mean you need to sacrifice on comfort and warmth. There are ways where you still can retain the ideal warmth you need inside but without really spending too much on energy bills by upping the thermostat every single time.