As winter draws near and the temperature falls, finding ways to save money on your heating bills becomes a top priority. One of the best tips is modifying your thermostat settings to optimize energy usage without compromising comfort.

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

In general, a good guideline is the lower the temperature inside your home and the less difference there is between the air inside your home and the outdoor temperature, the more money you will save on heating.

Money-Saving Thermostat Settings While You Are at Home

When you’re around your home, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommends setting 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 reports 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 throwing away 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 set your thermostat as low as 50 degrees. This will be warm enough it will keep your furnace running so you don’t have any frozen or burst pipes waiting for you when you get home.

When you return to your home, turn up the temperature slowly. That will keep your heating system from running too hard, which could be the case if you raise the temperature on your thermostat really high right away.

Suggested Thermostat Settings While You Are Sleeping

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

Other Ways to Use Less Energy on Your HVAC in Winter

There are a number of other approaches you can use to consume less energy this winter while you heat your home. They include:

Check your insulation levels

Insulate doors, windows and walls to minimize drafts, keep warm air inside and avoid heat loss. This will minimize the stress on your furnace and save energy.

Buy a programmable thermostat

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

For even more savings, set up a smart thermostat that can perceive when you are in or out and adjust the temperature appropriately. To learn more about these products or for smart thermostat installation in Laurel, contact the skilled technicians at H&C Heating and Cooling. We can tell you how smart thermostats can benefit your home's comfort—and your pocketbook.

H3: Arrange furnace maintenance:

Plan regular maintenance for your heating system. A well-maintained system runs more efficiently, lowering energy consumption and probably avoiding costly repairs. Clean or exchange air filters on a regular basis to make sure your unit has proper airflow.

For furnace maintenance in Laurel, call the team at H&C Heating and Cooling. Our specialists will get your system in excellent working order!

Seal air leaks

Find and close off any air leaks in your home. Typical places for leaks tend to be windows, doors, attic hatches and ductwork. Closing these gaps blocks warm air from escaping, making your HVAC system work less to maintain a sufficient temperature.

Update your HVAC system

If your heating system is old, inefficient or just isn’t able to keep your home as warm as you desire, furnace replacement may be an ideal long-term solution. Modern day furnaces are very efficient, which can notably reduce your monthly bills compared to an old or inefficient model.

If you’re thinking about investing in a new heating system, phone the professionals at H&C Heating and Cooling. We’re noted for experienced furnace installation in Laurel and will help you choose a unit that’s perfect for your home! Call 301-960-3247 today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation estimate!