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The Optimal Temperature to Set Your Furnace During the Winter

The Optimal Temperature to Set Your Furnace During the Winter

Man adjusting the temperature on the thermostat of his house

Autumn just started which means winter is just around the corner. One question homeowners tend to have when the weather starts to change centers around what the ideal temperature is for their home. You can ask any member of your family what the optimal temperature for the thermostat is and you will probably get as many answers as there are people in your home.

For many homeowners, winter is the time of year when they are most likely to crank their thermostats up to the highest setting in order to keep cold drafts at bay. While this may seem like a great idea, often times it’s not! Constantly setting the thermostat to a high temperature during the winter can cause a huge spike in energy bills. In order to save money and keep your home at a comfortable temperature, it is best to use different settings when you’re home, when the home is empty, and when you are asleep.

At-Home Temperature Setting

When you are present in your home during the winter you obviously want it to be at a comfortable temperature. Although, setting the thermostat too high when it’s cold outside is the equivalent of wasting money. The warmer your home is inside; the faster thermal energy will be lost outdoors. The lower the temperature inside the home, the slower the rate of thermal energy loss. So, what is the optimal at-home temperature? It is recommended for homeowners to set the temperature between 68 and 72 degrees while there are people inside the home. This temperature range is sufficient enough to keep members of the home warm while wasting the least amount of heat possible.

Away and Sleeping Temperature Setting

When your home is empty for an extended period and at night it is a good idea to lower the temperature significantly. A temperature range between 58 and 62 degrees is optimal during these instances. When members of the home are asleep and not as active, there is no need for the heating and cooling system to waste energy when it’s not needed as much. Additionally, this temperature range is enough to keep pipes in the home from freezing when external temperatures drop, and nobody is home.

Consider Buying Energy Efficient Appliances and a Smart Thermostat

Older furnaces and heat pumps are less efficient and take longer to heat up the inside of your home which can cause the home to feel colder than it actually is. In order to improve how fast the furnace heats up and to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the home, it is a good idea to replace older appliances with new, energy-saving appliances.

Additionally, it is a good idea to look into a smart thermostat for your home. Smart thermostats allow you to have different temperature settings when you are home and away. This makes for a more streamlined, energy-saving process for keeping your home at optimal temperatures during the winter months.

Contact Certified Heating and Air Conditioning Today!

If you have any further questions about the optimal temperature for your home or if you are interested in purchasing a more efficient furnace, contact Certified Heating and Air Conditioning today! One of our trained technicians is always happy to help!

Works Cited:

  • https://www.premierheating.ca/the-best-temperature-to-set-furnace/
  • https://www.flynn-energy.com/what-is-the-ideal-temperature-to-set-heat-to-in-winter-to-save-money/
  • https://www.bobvila.com/articles/what-temperature-should-i-set-my-thermostat-in-winter/
  • https://www.comfortfirstheatingandcooling.com/blog/heating-service/best-setting-for-furnace-thermostat/