As winter approaches and the temperature dips, finding ways to save money on your heating bills becomes a top priority. One of the most effective strategies is adjusting your thermostat settings to optimize energy usage without sacrificing comfort.

With several options and techniques available, homeowners can decrease your heating costs while still making your home cozy throughout the chilly season. Regardless of whether you prefer a programmable thermostat or manual device, there are several ways to find the ideal balance between warmth and savings.

In general, a good guideline is the lower the temperature in your home and the less difference there is between the air inside your home and the exterior temperature, the more money you will save on your monthly energy costs.

Money-Saving Thermostat Settings While You Are at Home

When you’re at home, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommends putting your thermostat to between 68°F and 70°F in the winter. That’s warm enough to keep most families cozy, but also low enough to be energy efficient.

Effective Temperature Settings While You Not at Home

The DOE estimates you can save as much as 10% on your home heating costs by lowering your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. By doing this, you’re not wasting money heating your home while you’re not there.

Industry professionals say, if you are going on vacation or will be gone a prolonged period of time, you can adjust your thermostat as low as 50 degrees. That will keep your furnace running so you don’t have any frozen or burst pipes while you are away.

When you get back to your house, increase the temperature slowly. That will keep your heating system from performing too hard, which could happen if you raise the temperature on your thermostat very high right away.

Suggested Thermostat Settings While You Are Asleep

The great news about sleep-time thermostat settings in the winter is that people get good sleep when it’s a little colder. The National Sleep Foundation suggests somewhere between 66 and 70 degrees is the best temperature range for great sleep.

More Tactics to Use Less Energy on Your HVAC in Winter

There are several other techniques you can employ so you consume less energy this winter while you heat your home. They include:

Check your insulation levels

Insulate doors, windows and walls to reduce drafts, keep warm air inside and protect against heat loss. This will limit the pressure on your furnace and save energy.

Buy a programmable thermostat

Install a programmable thermostat to manage the temperature in your home efficiently. Set lower temperatures when you're not home or asleep and increase them only when necessary.

For even more savings, buy a smart thermostat that can sense when you are in or out and change the temperature accordingly. To learn more about these devices or for smart thermostat installation in Pflugerville, get a hold of the skilled technicians at Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning. We can tell you how smart thermostats can improve your home's comfort—and your pocketbook.

H3: Arrange furnace maintenance:

Schedule regular maintenance for your heating system. A well-maintained heating system functions more efficiently, decreasing energy consumption and possibly avoiding costly repairs. Clean or change air filters routinely to ensure proper airflow.

For furnace maintenance in Pflugerville, call the team at Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning. Our specialists will get your system in top shape!

Seal air leaks

Detect and fill in any air leaks in your home. Common sites for leaks including windows, doors, attic hatches and ductwork. Plugging these gaps prevents warm air from leaking out of your home, making your HVAC system work less to maintain a comfy temperature.

Upgrade your HVAC system

If your HVAC equipment is old, inefficient or just isn’t able to keep your home as warm as you want, furnace replacement may be a good long-term solution. Modern day furnaces are extremely efficient, which can considerably decrease your monthly bills compared to an old or inefficient model.

If you’re considering upgrading to a new heating system, contact the pros at Evenaire Heating & Air Conditioning. We’re known for knowledgeable furnace installation in Pflugerville and will help you pick a unit that’s perfect for your home! Call 512-355-1482 today to schedule a free, no-obligation estimate!