As winter gets closer and the temperature falls, finding ways to save money on your power bills becomes a top priority. One of the most effective strategies is modifying your thermostat settings to optimize energy usage without sacrificing comfort.

With several options and techniques available, homeowners can reduce 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 ideal balance between warmth and savings.

As a whole, a good guideline 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 your monthly energy costs.

Best Thermostat Settings While You Are at Home

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

Effective Temperature Settings While You Are Away

The DOE states you can save as much as 10% on your home heating costs by lowering your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. By doing this, you’re not throwing away 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 adjust your thermostat as low as 50 degrees. That will keep your furnace running so you don’t have any frozen or burst pipes waiting for you when you get home.

When you get back to your house, raise the temperature slowly. That will keep your heating system from working too hard, which could be the case if you raise the temperature on your thermostat quite high right away.

Recommended Thermostat Settings While You Are Sleeping

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

Additional 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:

Examine your insulation levels

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

Buy a programmable thermostat

Purchase a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature in your home efficiently. Set lower temperatures when you're away or asleep and increase them only when needed.

For even more savings, purchase a smart thermostat that can sense when you are in or out and change the temperature accordingly. To learn more about these gadgets or for smart thermostat installation in Greater Richmond, contact the skilled technicians at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We can tell you how smart thermostats can benefit your home's comfort—and your pocketbook.

H3: Arrange furnace maintenance:

Plan regular maintenance for your HVAC system. A well-maintained system runs more efficiently, lowering energy consumption and potentially avoiding costly repairs. Clean or exchange air filters on a regular basis to ensure proper airflow.

For furnace maintenance in Greater Richmond, call the team at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We will get your system in top shape!

Seal air leaks

Locate and fill in any air leaks in your home. Typical sites for leaks tend to be windows, doors, attic hatches and ductwork. Closing these gaps stops warm air from seeping out, making your HVAC system work less to maintain a cozy temperature.

Update your HVAC system

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

If you’re considering upgrading to a new heating system, contact the pros at Herman Allen Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. We’re noted for skilled furnace installation in Greater Richmond and will help you pick a unit that’s ideal for your home! Call 804-302-6657 today to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation estimate!