During extreme temperatures in the dead of summer or the dead of winter, it can be hard to find a balance between comfort and efficiency when choosing a thermostat temperature. Many new homeowners may not know that constant adjusting of the thermostat settings it’s up more energy than your HVAC system usually would.
You may wonder: “what is a good temperature to keep my house?”
You can save money on energy bills during extreme temperatures by doing a little DIY around your home; however, that still doesn’t answer the question of what you should keep your temperature at on the thermostat. Is there a perfect temperature, or is it all up to personal preference?
Is keeping the house a little bit warmer in the winter going to make that big of a difference on your utility bills? Are you constantly battling your roommates or significant other about what temperature is the best? This article will help you answer all these questions so that you will be ready for the hot summer months this year.
Is There a Perfect Temperature?
Ultimately the answer to a perfect temperature is no because every home and person has a different unique needs. For example, a larger space may need a different temperature than a smaller space, or the temperature you need may depend on the location of your HVAC unit.
Another thing to note is where you place your thermostat in your home matters more than you may think; for example, you should place your thermostat and a dry and shaded area to avoid any sun damage or moisture corrosion.
If you’ve noticed any corrosion on your thermostat, it may be time to get a new one soon because malfunctioning thermostats can run up energy bills.
Wintertime
During the dead of winter, it can be tempting to set the thermostat to higher temperatures such as the 70s or 80s; however, the recommended temperature is 68°; is the recommended temperature for when you’re at home and awake; however, if you’re away or asleep energy.gov recommends that you keep it lower than 68°
During the winter lowering your thermostat by around 10° for eight hours a day can reduce heating expenses by as much as 10%
To manage a colder temperature in your home, we recommend keeping layers on and insulating your windows and doors to trap heat inside your house.
If you decide that 68° is too cold during the winter, a little goes a long way; try setting your thermostat only one or 2° higher at first and continually adjust over the next few hours. Constantly turning your thermostat up and down by a large range every time is a very easy way to reduce energy usage in the home.
Summertime
During the summer, layering is not an option, so it’s a little trickier to decide on the correct temperature, especially with rising temperatures all over the United States.
Again it’s tempting to go straight into the 60s or low 70s, but do you recommend a temperature for summertime is 78°
Additionally, energy.gov recommends the same for summertime, as previously mentioned. It would help if you raised the temperature whenever you’re away from home or asleep.
Some smart thermostats have automatic temperature adjustments whenever you let them know that you’re aware asleep. Smart thermostats may seem like a costly investment up front, but over time they will save you a lot in energy bills.
The most important thing to remember about the summertime is to avoid the temptation to turn down the thermostat extremely low to cool the house faster; however, energy.gov says that this does not call a house any faster than turning it down only a couple of degrees try using your fans and lighter clothing to feel comfortable in your home without having to turn down the thermostat.
What does Cardinal Recommend?
We first recommend paying attention to how much you’re changing your thermostat; most new homeowners do not realize how much changing a thermostat can impact utility bills. Even though the temperature should only slightly vary in your home through the changing season, energy bills will always spike during summer and winter because of frequent thermostat adjustments.
Try setting your thermostat back 7 to 10° from your normal setting for eight hours a day and monitor how much money you save on utilities for the next couple of months.
Sometimes you can never get comfortable in your home no matter how much you adjust the thermostat. If this is the case, this may not be a thermostat problem but a problem with your entire HVAC system; we recommend bringing a professional in to inspect your system and check for any leaks, damages, or cleaning your system needs.
HVAC Maintenance and Repair in Ashburn, VA
Do you want to learn more about cooling your home comfortably and saving money? Contact Cardinal for a custom home heating and cooling system evaluation.
If you would like additional information about how to keep yourself warm in your home, click here or contact Cardinal Plumbing, Heating & Air at (703) 721-8888, and we would be more than happy to help you decide your perfect temperature.
If you’re looking to replace your thermostat, we have a wide variety of thermostat products available to choose from, so you’re sure to find the perfect one for your needs.
