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

With many options and techniques available, it's possible to lower your heating costs while still making your home cozy throughout the chilly season. Regardless of whether you prefer a programmable thermostat or manual device, there are plenty of ways to find the appropriate balance between warmth and savings.

As a whole, a good rule of thumb is the lower the temperature in your home and the less difference there is between the air inside your home and the outdoor temperature, the more money you will save on your monthly energy costs.

Ideal Thermostat Settings While You Are at Home

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

Effective Temperature Settings While You Going to Be Out of Your Home

The DOE estimates you can save approximately 10% on your heating costs by decreasing your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. That way, you’re not needlessly spending money heating your home while you’re not there.

Experts say, if you are going on vacation or will be gone a long period of time, you can adjust 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 waiting for you when you get home.

When you arrive home, increase the temperature bit by bit. That will keep your heating system from running too hard, which it could if you raise the temperature on your thermostat quite high right away.

Cost-Efficient Thermostat Settings While You Are in Bed for The Night

The nice thing about sleep-time thermostat settings in the winter is that people get good sleep when it’s a little colder. The National Sleep Foundation states somewhere between 66 and 70 degrees is the best temperature range for quality sleep.

Additional Methods to Use Less Energy on Your HVAC in Winter

There are a number of other approaches you can employ so you consume less energy this winter while you heat your home. They include:

Check your insulation levels

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

Set up a programmable thermostat

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

For even more savings, purchase a smart thermostat that can perceive when you are in or out and change the temperature correctly. To learn more about these gadgets or for smart thermostat installation in Savage, contact the skilled technicians at Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning. We can tell you how smart thermostats can help your home's comfort—and your pocketbook.

H3: Schedule furnace maintenance:

Plan to hire someone to do regular maintenance for your heating system. A well-maintained system functions more efficiently, lowering energy consumption and probably avoiding costly repairs. Clean or exchange air filters regularly to assure proper airflow.

For furnace maintenance in Savage, call the team at Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning. Our trained technicians will get your system in excellent working order!

Seal air leaks

Locate and fill in any air leaks in your home. Common sites for leaks tend to be windows, doors, attic hatches and ductwork. Plugging these gaps blocks warm air from leaking out of your home, making your HVAC system work less to maintain a sufficient 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 want, furnace replacement may be a good long-term option. Contemporary furnaces are very efficient, which can considerably lower your monthly bills compared to an old or inefficient model.

If you’re contemplating upgrading to a new heating system, phone the pros at Gopher Heating and Air Conditioning. We’re noted for knowledgeable furnace installation in Savage and will help you choose a unit that’s ideal for your home! Call 952-373-0377 today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation estimate!