The Common Thermostat Mistake Costing You Hundreds This Winter

Nobody likes the shock of bare feet hitting frozen ground in the morning, but cranking up the boiler is a quick way to ruin your monthly budget. So when the temperature starts to rise fall in winter and energy prices are rising, you shouldn’t have to choose between shivering or going bankrupt. We’ve spent years testing thermostats and home heating tips to find the perfect balance between staying warm and cutting costs.

The good news is that you don’t have to keep your home at a single, expensive temperature all day. By using specific thermostat “sweet spots” and smart planning, you can keep your living spaces comfortable while your energy consumption decreases. There are hidden settings and simple equipment adjustments that will help your home stay comfortable without the financial trauma of a huge utility bill.

If you’re tired of overpaying for a warm home, it’s time to adjust your strategy. These expert tips will help you optimize your heat and protect your wallet during the coldest months of the year.

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This is the ideal thermostat temperature for winter

In winter, experts recommend setting your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re home and between 60 and 65 degrees when you’re sleeping or away.

You can set it higher, but this will reduce efficiency and result in higher energy bills. It also depends on the weather outside, said Julian Picard, owner of HVAC company Centerline Mechanical. If it’s 20 degrees Fahrenheit outside, maybe don’t set your thermostat to 80 degrees, he advised.

Then there is the question of temperature change at night or when you are not at home. The Department of Energy suggests turning your thermostat down 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for 8 hours a day, saying it can save up to 10 percent a year on heating and cooling.

Picard suggested a more minor change: lower the temperature just four degrees when you’re away or sleeping. This means your system won’t have to work as hard to get back up to temperature.

“You don’t want to have drastic changes in temperature,” said Mahlie Dukes, franchise owner of WIN Home Inspection in Indiana.

You also need to know your specific heating system. If you notice, for example, that your home never reaches the temperature you set, that could be a sign that your system isn’t sized for your home, says Picard. And that’s a signal to lower your thermostat setting so your HVAC system isn’t constantly running at full blast.

Learn more: You can actually save money by using electricity at these specific times

It’s the perfect setting for summer

In the summer, the ideal temperature for your thermostat is 75 degrees Fahrenheit to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re at home and 80 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re away or asleep, Dukes said. The Department of Energy suggests 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, 82 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re sleeping and 85 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re not home.

Most importantly, you want to make sure your system can handle the settings. If you notice that the house is never as cool as your thermostat setting, it probably means that your system is not properly sized for your home and you may want to ease up on the cooling. You may also want to check the tightness of your doors and windows and the quality of the insulation in your home.

Air conditioners can only really cool your home 15 to 20 degrees below the outside temperature, so setting the thermostat too low can cause your system to run without being efficient.

Learn more: Are you considering purchasing a portable air conditioner? 5 things you need to know before you do it

Does it matter what type of HVAC you have?

Yes and no. The same general temperature recommendations apply regardless of what type of HVAC you have in your home, says Picard.

However, your results may vary depending on the type and size of your system. Systems that are oversized or undersized for your home will operate inefficiently, resulting in higher heating and cooling costs. That’s why Picard recommends having your system inspected and cleaned by an HVAC professional every year. These professionals can tell you the best way to use your specific system for optimal comfort and efficiency, he said.

Finally, heat pumps are already very efficient, so those who use them may not experience the same price savings as those who own furnaces. Fortunately, the savings are still visible through learning about smart thermostats and evident in other areas of the home, such as reducing the use of gas fireplaces.

Avoid This Common Thermostat Mistake

Let’s say your house is a little colder than you’d like and you want it to be perfect. NOW. It can be 65 degrees Fahrenheit inside, and you may wish it was 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Don’t set it to 75 in the hopes that it will warm it up faster. Most HVAC units have two settings – on or off – and it’s not possible to reach 70 degrees Fahrenheit any faster.

Set your thermostat to the desired temperature. Setting it to a temperature hotter or colder than you actually want in hopes of speeding things up will only lead to excessive cooling or overheating – and excessive spending on your energy bills.

Is your thermostat in the wrong place?

Your thermostat knows how to set the temperature because it contains a thermometer. So if your thermostat is in the wrong place, it won’t give you an accurate reading of the temperature in your home.

You want to avoid installing your thermostat in an area subject to frequent changes in temperature or humidity, such as in the kitchen or bathroom. If it is on an exterior wall, it may also be more sensitive to changes in outside temperature. Instead, try positioning your thermostat on an interior wall in a location such as your living room.

If your thermostat supports external room sensors, having sensors in other locations, such as a bedroom, can help you better regulate the temperature in the rooms where you spend most of your time.

Major thermostat brands, including Ecobee and Nest, offer these satellite sensors and various ways to allow thermostats to use their data, allowing for personalization. But be careful: Place the sensor somewhere too cold or too hot and it could put your thermostat into overdrive, wasting money.

Save money with a thermostat and insulation control

Reducing your energy bills this year doesn’t have to be difficult.

“There is a common misconception that to be energy efficient you have to be energy efficient,” Picard said.

Homeowners can also examine areas beyond their thermostat. Investing in good insulation, for example, can significantly reduce the strain you put on your HVAC system.

“You’d be surprised how much energy we radiate into our attics,” Picard said.

This annual inspection and maintenance appointment can also help you save money. Picard said buildup in your HVAC system can cause efficiency losses of up to 10 percent per year, which you’ll see on your energy bill. This is why having it cleaned every year is a good thing.

And if you’re in the market for a new HVAC system, now is the perfect time to take stock and make sure what you have matches your specific home.