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HOW TO PICK THE PERFECT THERMOSTAT SETTING FOR YOUR HOME


Setting the perfect thermostate settings for your home.

06 Oct, 2020

Knowing what's the thermostat set to and monitoring it accordingly can quickly save you money when it comes to your cooling and heating bill. However, you don’t want to spend your day hovering around the thermostat settings. As such, it’s recommended you install a programmable one.

With a programmable thermostat, you can effortlessly maintain an eco-friendly room temperature that’s also easy on your wallet. This way, you can live in comfort without wasting precious energy. Plus, programming can easily be scheduled into your habits.

While each area of the country will have its own ideal of the best temperature, today we're going to highlight the general recommended thermostat temperature. Then, you can adjust it to your lifestyle.

Recommended Summer Thermostat Settings

The first question you’re probably asking, “what temperature should you set your thermostat in the summer?

A universal guideline for a normal summer thermostat setting is 78° F. However, this condition should be set for when you’re at home during the daytime. For optimal comfort to cost ratio, your home thermostat temperature range will vary throughout the day. 

For example, if you plan on stepping out of the house to run errands for a few hours, you might consider raising the target temperature to a higher setting. By raising the temperature, your cooling systems won’t switch on until the air temperature in your home reaches the predefined level. 

So if you plan on being out of your house for a short period, the best temp for thermostat in summer will be one that is near outside temperatures. Having your thermostat set within these parameters means that your house won’t be aggressively hot when you return home, but you’re also not refrigerating an empty room.

If you have a programmable unit, you may want to refer to the manual to determine how to set room temperature. In AC terms, room temperature will be the most energy-efficient level that is still comfortable.

Recommended Winter Thermostat Settings

Your winter thermostat settings should also reflect the type of weather you're experiencing and whether or not you’ll be at home.

If you’re wondering how to set up thermostat to save energy during the winter, the ideal temperature is 68° F during the day. However, if you want to see a large decrease in your energy bill, then lowering it to 60° F can see between 5 to 10 percent savings on your bill yearly.

While only you are aware of what your perfect temperature is, it’s been shown that many people prefer and get better rest while sleeping in a slightly cooler atmosphere. With that in mind, if you want to save a little and potentially get a good night’s rest, you might want to lower your thermostat settings before heading off to bed.

However, don’t forget that temperature control isn’t solely reliant on heating and cooling. Humidity can play a factor in your house’s comfort and, potentially, your family’s health. If the humidity levels in your home are elevated, it can create the perfect environment for mold and mildew. If these fungi release spores into the atmosphere, it can become a health concern. This concern grows if anyone in your house has allergies or asthma.

If the humidity is too low, you might need to adjust the humidity on your thermostat settings to avoid dry nasal passages as they can make it easy to develop nose bleeds and make you more vulnerable to colds.

Why you Should Use a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat, regardless of whether it’s digital or electromechanical, can save you time and money. Digital thermostats offer a benefit in terms of features and customization but can be challenging for some to input the correct commands. An electromechanical system is normally composed of various pegs, switches, or sliding bars, that offer a simple interface at the expense of programmability. 

With a programmable thermostat, you can control your living area, whether you’re at home or not. When you leave the home, you don’t have to worry about whether you left the AC on, as it will already be programmed to adjust for your daily usage. 

When setting up your thermostat, you want to program it for your standard schedule. This way, if you like to sleep in a cooler environment, you can initiate the temperature setback an hour before your normal sleep time. This way, you can slip into bed and cozily drift off to sleep.

You will also want to adjust your thermostat settings to reflect the common timeframes people are in or out of the home. If you know that most mornings, everyone is out of the house for work or school, you can set the temperature to hover around outside temperature in an effort to save money. 

What Settings are Best for Your Comfort & Budget? 

Your home’s optimal thermostat settings and budget are unique to you. As a result, before you can choose the best indoor temperature for your heating and cooling needs, consider what will make you comfortable without breaking the bank.

However, with careful consideration, you can find the best balance of comfort and affordability. Having a house equipped to handle the changes in temperatures of the day can make a difference. At Valley Service, the comfort of your home is our top priority. We've dedicated over 40 years to delivering reliable home heating to the Fargo area. If you would like to learn more about how to save money through your thermostat settings, contact us today.