Everyone has their ideal temperature. Some people prefer cold nights – others are comfortable with 76 degrees. Your heating bill directly reflects your preferences. If you’re looking for warmth, you’d better be ready to pay for it. But what’s the best energy efficient temperature to set your thermostat at?
According to Energy Star and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), 68 degrees is the ‘right’ balance between comfort and efficiency. Obviously this is dependent on personal tastes, but we tend to agree that if you can stomach sweatpants and thick socks, dropping the temperature is at least better for your wallet.
TRANE, one of our favorite brands to worth with, notes that you can save as much as 10% a year in heating and cooling costs by turning back thermostats 7 to 10 degrees (F) for 8 hours a day. If you can live with cooler temperatures, it’s advised to go that route to save money. The DOE recommends 78 degrees as the summer cooling threshold — which may seem a little toasty for some in Raleigh. A programmable thermostat will help keep temperatures comfy when you’re around and efficient when you aren’t. Do keep in mind that pets have preferences too. Don’t sacrifice a pet’s well-being to save money.
The DOE also notes that heat loss occurs more slowly if temperatures are lower. This effectively means that if the indoor temperature is low, a lower temperature is easier to maintain than a higher one. So while 72 degrees may sound ideal, it may be putting a strain on your system.
There’s sometimes confusion as to how a thermostat reads temperature – it may feel warmer or colder than the temperature provided on your display (should you have one). Thermostats work differently, with digital thermostats using a thermistor to measure temps. Thermostats should be placed outside of direct sunlight and away from doors/windows to get an accurate reading. Inaccurate thermostat readings means inefficient and/or incorrect temperatures indoors.
Want to become more energy efficient? Call North Carolina Heating & Cooling today and learn about how a new heating system can help save money in the long run.
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