Does adjusting your thermostat use more energy?
Colder temperatures outside often mean bumping your thermostat up to warmer temperatures to stay cozy inside—and a higher thermostat can mean higher energy bills. So, what is the ideal temperature for your thermostat?
Does keeping the thermostat at a consistent temperature use more or less energy? The great debate is on!
Should I adjust my thermostat or keep it at a constant temperature?
Chances are you don’t spend 24/7 in your home. For the time spent outside of your home, it is wise to adjust your thermostat to conserve energy.
Here enters the beauty of smart thermostats. If you forget to adjust before you leave, you have full control from your phone wherever you are. You can also pre-set schedules for recurring days and times when you will be away. This allows your HVAC unit to take a break and conserve energy when it is not needed.
There’s a common misconception that a furnace must work harder to heat a space from a lower temperature. However, when your house drops below its normal temperature, it loses energy more slowly. With colder winter temperatures, the lower your thermostat temperature (and the slower the heat loss) the more energy you save.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends turning your thermostat down between 7 and 10 degrees for eight hours a day. A few degrees can make a big difference—potentially reducing your annual energy costs by up to 10%!
What is the ideal temperature to set my thermostat in the winter?
You can save energy by setting your thermostat to about 68 degrees in the winter. While this could seem low when you’re trying to stay warm, consider setting to 68 while you sleep or while you’re away. Did you know that cooler temperatures at night are proven to lead to more restful sleep?
And if you go away on vacation in the winter, set your thermostat to 55 for maximum efficiency while keeping your pets comfortable and preventing your pipes from freezing.
Too hot? Too cold? Just right?
Do you find yourself adjusting the thermostat frequently to get comfortable? Remote access can make it simple to adjust your thermostat from your smart phone without ever leaving your comfy spot.
See how much you can save with a Sensi
Sensi smart thermostats are ENERGY STAR certified and were the first smart thermostat to win ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year. A smart thermostat is a simple and affordable way to save energy year-round. Did you know you can save about 23% on HVAC energy with a Sensi smart thermostat paired with the Sensi app? Use the online calculator to see how much you could save.
So while it may be easier to keep your thermostat at a constant, warm temperature all winter long, the environment (and your wallet) will thank you for turning it down a few degrees. Every little bit helps!
For more energy-saving tips on how to program your thermostat all year-round for maximum energy savings, visit Energy.gov.
