How to Set Thermostat Temperature in the winter?

Most homeowners understand that there is no way they can live without heating and cooling in their homes. Utility bills are an unavoidable part of life. However, you might be surprised to learn that 42-64% of your energy bill goes towards heating and cooling your home. How is this even possible? The heating and cooling costs in your home could escalate your energy bills and leave you scratching your head, wondering how to cut on the costs. Add to the possible air conditioner or furnace repair, and the bills might be disappointing even more. How can you make your home comfortable and cost-efficient without sacrificing heat? All you need to know is how to set your thermostat in winter.

Setting your thermostat for winter temperature

What are the recommended thermostat settings during winter? Many homeowners across Canada ponder this question every year when the temperatures start dropping and it’s time to turn on the heat. There is no definite thermostat setting for winter. However, we advise homeowners to set the thermostat at 17 to 19 degrees Celsius in the winter. This temperature is ideal while sleeping or while you are away from home. When you sleep, you use less energy, and you are curled under cozy blankets. Therefore, you do not require higher temperatures to keep warm. This temperature range is ideal; it will also prevent your pipes from freezing.

What is comfortable Daytime temperature?

During the daytime, when the family is home, the ideal temperature is between 20 and 22 degrees Celsius. However, this will vary depending on a homeowner’s preference and their energy-saving goals. Every person is unique and has unique preferences. What might feel like the perfect temperature for one person might not be ideal for another. You should set the thermostat at the temperature that makes you feel most comfortable. What you need to note is that you should adjust the temperatures accordingly. The temperature you set during the day shouldn’t prevail when you are away from home or when sleeping. Your home heating bill might blow out of proportion if you keep a constant temperature all season long.

How to save energy using different programmable temperatures within the day?

A programmable thermostat allows you to schedule different temperatures within the day, helping you make significant energy savings. However, a programmable thermostat might end up increasing your heating costs. If you drop the temperature too low when you are not at home, only to jack it up when you return, your furnace will require immense energy to restore the desired temperature.

We advise homeowners to program incremental temperature changes into their thermostats. You should set the temperature at 2-5 degrees Celsius lower than your desired daytime temperature when you are away from home. Program the thermostat to bring the temperature up when you get home and to go down a few degrees during bedtime. This will help you use your heating system in an efficient manner.

When you master the programmable thermostat routine fully, you might end up making significant energy bill savings of 15-20%. This might not sound much , but it really counts. For instance, if you spend around $200 on heat, you could save $30-$40. If your home has a multi-zone system, you could even save more. It’s worth noting that you will only save on energy bills if you use the programmable thermostat correctly. If you need guidance on how to get the most out of your programmable thermostat, ask an Air Maker heating expert.

Some tips on how to set your thermostat right

• Make Sure Your Home is Well Insulated

  Besides making a home more comfortable and quieter, proper insulation could help you save 15% on heating and cooling costs. Adding insulation in the crawlspaces, attics, and basement rim joists is one of the wisest investments you can make. Even if you will incur the initial cost of insulating your home, you will recover this cost through great energy savings. A poorly insulated home lets the cold seep in, making the furnace work harder to heat your home, which increases the heating costs. Without proper insulation, you will spend unreasonable costs every month just to make your home habitable. You should contact a home energy auditor if you suspect that your home has incomplete or poor insulation.

• Move your furnace to the suitable place

  The furnace location matters. You should check and ensure that your furniture is not blocking the vents and impeding the proper heating of your home. Many homeowners do not know that furniture is a common heat-stealing culprit. If a bookcase or a couch blocks the vent and disrupts the airflow, you might end up paying hundreds of dollars to keep your couch warm, yet the heat is not circulating to the rest of your home. You can fix this problem by checking all the vents in your house and ensuring that there are no obstructions. After removing all the obstructions, you might realize that the constantly cold room is no longer chilly.

• Try to care about your furnace

  There are many reasons why you should ensure that your furnace is running properly and operating efficiently. Proper inspection and maintenance of the furnace will help you catch the problem early and ensure that the furnace remains fully functional and operational. At Air Makers, we can give you furnace tune-up tips to help you identify any problem, improve the furnace’s efficiency, and enhance its lifespan. Some of the recommended tips include cleaning or replacing the filter regularly, ensuring the blower motor is functioning correctly, ensuring the vents are free, and cleaning the heating system vents and ductwork. It doesn’t take much time or effort to maintain your furnace and keep it in perfect working condition.

Where is My Home Should the Thermostat be Installed?

A thermostat works by reading the air temperature in the surrounding areas and comparing it to the target temperature you have set for your home. If necessary, the thermostat sends a signal to the furnace to adjust the temperature. You should choose a thermostat location carefully for the best performance and comfort. Where you place your thermostat determines how accurate its readings are. The best location for your thermostat is in an interior wall at the center of the house. When choosing the ideal thermostat location, you should consider the rooms that people use most. Place the thermostat close to these rooms so that it can take accurate readings. An accurate reading is critical to keeping your home at the desired comfort level. When installing a thermostat, you should ensure that it is 52 to 60 inches above the floor.

Locations to avoid placing your thermostat

Every home layout is different, and there is no one definite answer for thermostat placement. However, placing a thermostat close to a heat source will make it less efficient. If you want to achieve maximum smart and programmable thermostat savings, where you place the thermostat is critical. You should not place your thermostat:

• Near a window or a door – the areas close to windows or doors are prone to significant temperature fluctuations. Doors and windows are constantly opening and closing, consequently raising and lowering the temperature depending on the season.
• Under direct sunlight – you are likely to get inaccurate readings if you place your thermostat in direct sunlight. If the thermostat senses the heat from the sunlight, it might engage the AC instead of the furnace.
• Above air vents – if you place your thermostat above the vent, it will record inaccurate readings upon encountering the heated and cooled air.
• Close to the kitchen
• In the hallways

Air Makers are here to help

At Air Makers, we provide a wide variety of smart thermostats to help you heat your home in a smart way. If you are not sure about the thermostat that will work best for your home, you should contact us. We will advise you regarding the different types of thermostats and help you choose the most ideal for your home. We will also inspect and provide furnace repair to ensure that it’s up to the task.  After servicing and furnace tune-up, your furnace will be just as effective as a new furnace. Our experts have the right skills and experience in servicing all types of furnaces.