How to Program Your Thermostat for Fall & Winter Savings

After many people pay huge utility bills all summer to keep their homes cool from the sweltering heat, they may be relieved to see some savings during the winter. By following some simple guidelines, you can save money on your winter utility bills. First, if you do not already have one, consider purchasing a programmable thermostat. It makes saving on utility bills much easier because you can set the desired temperature for different times of day and forget about it. There is no need to continually change the thermostat, it will do it on its own. Energy.gov has some great tips for what temperature you should keep your home during the winter, “You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to 68°F while you’re awake and setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home. By turning your thermostat back 10° to 15° for 8 hours, you can save 5% to 15% a year on your heating bill — a savings of as much as 1% for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long. The percentage of savings from setback is greater for buildings in milder climates than for those in more severe climates.” If you are away from home all day at work or your kids are at school, set the temperature much cooler, perhaps around 56° as no one will be home anyway. You can always program your thermostat to warm your home back up to 68° about an hour before you get home so it is nice and cozy when you get home. As your body adapt to the cooler temperatures, keeping your thermostat to 68° will quickly feel very comfortable. Also, if you do tend to get a chill in the early morning or late evening hours, you can always employ some more traditional methods of staying warm. Break out the warm blankets, comfortable slippers or socks and a nice, toasty cup of hot chocolate or tea. You can always throw an extra blanket on the bed and you will feel very warm, all while saving money because you are not keeping the heat running all night long. By employing these simple methods and properly programming your thermostat during the winter, you can save money and still enjoy a cozy fall and winter.]]>