When temperatures drop, striking the balance between staying snug and saying “ugh” when managing your electricity costs can be toilsome. Especially when you have multiple family members or employees whose “ideal” temperatures go from one extreme to the other.
Thanks to the below tips on how to find the best temperature for your heater in winter, you can end the daily disputes over the thermostat. Whether you live in a state where wintertime lasts a few weeks or a few months, these tips should help you, your family, and your business stay cozy and content when it’s cold outside, all without going bust on your electricity bill.
What is the best temperature to set your thermostat in winter when you’re at home?
So what is a comfortable temperature for a home in winter during day time? While everyone has their personal preferences, a study connected by Cornell University reports that most people will be more comfortable and productive if the thermostat is set between 68° F and 72° F.
If those temperatures seem too low, consider running this little experiment. Try setting your thermostat at 72° F and then, every two or three days, bump it down a degree. Then, if complaints about it being too cold start to pop up, simply adjust accordingly.
When it comes to bedtime, cooler temperatures have been shown to improve sleep; your body’s internal temperature even drops a degree or two during the night. If you bump the thermostat down to between 62° F and 66° F at night, you’ll not only achieve your required beauty sleep, but also see electricity savings at the end of the month.
What is the best temperature to set your thermostat in winter when you’re away?
Again, there’s no hard and fast rule for what temperature the heating should be at in winter. There are, however, hard and fixed budgets, and if you’re wondering if you can save some cash by letting your heater rest when you’re away, you’re right on the money (pun intended).
In fact, there’s no reason to keep your home heated to the perfect temperature when you’re not there. However, please note that turning off your electricity entirely can lead to mold and other home maintenance issues. With that in mind, it’s generally recommended that you keep your thermostat set between 62° F and 66° F when you’re away from your not home.
You’ll find it’s not only cost-efficient when you let your heater “chill” while you’re away, but better for the environment too, especially when you’re using renewable energy sources to power your home.
Managing your electricity costs in winter and year-round.
Beyond keeping your home at appropriate temperatures in the winter, there are several other steps you can take to help maintain a comfortable, energy-efficient home:
- Investing in a smart thermostat (such as Nest) and then programming it to match your family’s or company’s schedule can lead to energy savings on your heating bill.
- Making sure your home is well-insulated can save you a pretty penny. Check your windows and baseboards for leaks, and look to see if your attic and basement are insulated.
- Insulating furnishings such as curtains and rugs can also help your home or business retain heat.
- Recognizing that everyone’s ideal temperature is not the same can go a long way
LifeEnergy: Lowering your costs, increasing your comfort.
Setting your thermostat to the best temperature for your heater in winter is only one piece of the puzzle when it comes to smart electricity usage. Even the savviest and smartest homeowner can get bill shock if they don’t manage their electricity plan and current energy rate properly.
LifeEnergy strives to provide electricity that allows for comfort and savings, not comfort or savings. We pride ourselves on being a renewable energy electricity supplier for homes and a business electricity supplier that prioritizes our customers and the environment.
So, here’s to a winter spent in comfort, enjoying the warm-fuzzies you get from knowing you’ve made the LifeSwitch to LifeEnergy. Sign up online in less than 5 minutes!
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