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What Is the Best Setting for My Thermostat?
What Is the Best Setting for My Thermostat?
Posted: September 25, 2017
Getting the most from your home heating system is a matter of balancing two key factors: cost and comfort. How do you find that point where you can spend the least amount of money to keep your Maine home warm enough in the winter and cool enough in the summer?
Try starting with these guidelines:
In winter – Aim for a target temperature of about 68 degrees when you’re awake and in the house; higher than that and you’re burning more heating oil or propane than you probably need to. When you’re not home, or when you’re asleep, use your programmable thermostat to drop the temperature few degrees – a three to four degree temperature drop for eight hours a day could cut your energy bill by as much as 10 percent.
In summer – Aim for a constant 75 degrees or so during the hot summer months when you’re home (you can actually go slightly warmer than this on really hot days, since it’s the temperature difference that will make you feel cooler, not a number on the thermostat). When you’re away, take advantage of your programmable thermostat to raise the temperature a couple of degrees. Just don’t go overboard or your cooling system will have to overwork to return to your indoor air to comfortable temperatures.
When you’re on vacation – You may be tempted to shut down your heating or cooling system when you’re away. Don’t do it! Turning off your system completely can result in frozen pipes in the winter and high humidity levels and mold growth in the summer (since air won’t be circulating). Instead, make use of the hold/permanent/vacation feature on your thermostat, setting it a few degrees higher than your “normal” operating temperature during summer getaways, and several degrees lower on winter trips.
