Optimizing Daily Thermostat Settings: optimal Moments for Adjustments
Navigating the challenge of keeping your home comfortable while preserving your wallet during winter's chill and summer's heat isn't an impossible task. In this article, we're joined by HVAC and home experts who share some tricks and tips that can help you strike the perfect balance between comfort and savings. Let's dive right in!
Our first expert is Ben Baca, an HVAC expert and implementation manager at SmartAC.com. According to Ben, discovering your home's ideal temperature is crucial for determining adjustments to cut energy costs. He recommends 68°F as a great setpoint for heat, while 75°F serves well for cooling. Keep in mind that personal comfort can vary; you might prefer a higher or lower temperature based on your taste.
To properly set your thermostat, Ben suggests determining your preferred "active" temperature while you're awake and engaged in your home activities. For sleep, the expert suggests lowering the temperature by 2 to 8 degrees, as many people report better rest in cooler conditions. When you're away from home, set the thermostat even lower; regarding heating, try a decrease of 8 to 12 degrees below your active temperature, while during cooling months, opt for a decrease of 6 to 8 degrees.
It's essential to create a schedule that integrates these temperature adjustments, ensuring the thermostat runs your HVAC system just enough to meet your needs while conserving energy. Ben suggests a one-hour window for your schedule's "away" settings, both before leaving and upon your return home. This strategy allows your home temperature to stabilize and prevent excessive energy consumption due to sudden temperature changes.
While at home, factor in the time of day, the season, and your home's usage. Courtney Klosterman, home insights expert at Hippo Home Insurance, advises taking advantage of natural sunlight to help reduce reliance on your heating system during the day. Conversely, as the sun fades, she suggests closing your window coverings to prevent heat loss and retain warmth. For maximum energy efficiency, Klosterman recommends installing insulated or quilted curtains for older windows that allow significant cold air in.
Andr Hancock, president at Gilman Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, suggests adjusting your thermostat settings to align with the day's natural temperature trends. He also encourages considering microclimates within your home, focusing heating on your most frequented areas while maintaining a lower temperature in the lesser-used spaces.
To further reduce energy bills, consider supplementing heat or AC with space heaters or portable AC units to concentrate heating or cooling in one area of your home without exhausting your entire HVAC system. Dress appropriately for your home's climate, investing in a humidifier in the winter and a ceiling fan in the summer. Lastly, ensure your HVAC equipment is regularly serviced and maintained to help it run more efficiently.
Did you know that smart thermostats can make your life easier by allowing you to set temperature schedules and remotely control your settings via smartphone applications? These gadgets often include energy-saving modes, vacation modes, and even occupancy sensors that adjust temperature when you are home at an unscheduled time. Smart thermostats can further help by learning your habits and adapting the temperature automatically, reducing wear and energy consumption.
By following these tips and tricks shared by our experts, you'll discover how to maintain comfort while significantly reducing your energy consumption, ultimately resulting in savings on your heating and cooling bills.
- Embracing 'Green Living' principles in your home can lead to substantial energy savings, and one effective method is incorporating 'Home Improvement Ideas' such as installing energy-efficient thermostats.
- According to expert advice from sources like BHG, regularly adjusting the temperature on your thermostat based on your activities, sleep patterns, and time of day can yield significant energy savings.
- For instance, when you're away, reducing the thermostat setting by 12 degrees during winter or 8 degrees during summer can help save energy, as suggested by HVAC expert Ben Baca.
- Additionally, implementing smart home solutions like installing smart thermostats, which can learn your habits and adjust temperature settings, can further increase energy efficiency, as suggested by various home improvement experts.
