Everyone has their own preferred temperature at home, however, there are a few guidelines to follow that can help maintain comfort levels while keeping energy costs down.
When choosing the ideal temperature for your thermostat, you will want to consider comfort, energy usage, your HVAC system, and what kind of thermostat you currently have.
When it comes to comfort, a good starting point for most people is 68 degrees during the winter and 78 degrees during the summer. We recommend starting around these levels and then adjusting incrementally to find your optimal temperature.
Energy Usage
There are strategies you can utilize to keep your energy expenses low depending on the time of year:
Winter
- Lower your thermostat when you are asleep or away from your home.
- Open your blinds during the day to allow radiant heat to supplement your heating system.
- Stay bundled up instead of relying entirely on your HVAC system.
Summer
- Use a fan to improve airflow and ease the burden on your HVAC system. Make sure the fan is rotating counter-clockwise during the warmer months (and switch it to clockwise during the winter months).
- Set your air conditioning system at a higher temperature. Start at 78° F and adjust it over time to see how warm of a temperature you can tolerate.
- Do not set your air conditioner to more than 20 degrees below the outside temperature.
Year-Round
- Install your thermostat in a location where it is less likely to get activated unnecessarily. A good place would be somewhere away from vents, doors, and windows.
Your Thermostat
Not all thermostats have the same features.
Manual thermostats
Will hold the temperature where you set it until it is manually adjusted.
Programmable thermostats
Allow you to pre-set the temperature in your home for a number of days and times throughout the week. This allows adjustments to the temperature so your heating and cooling system is not running unnecessarily when no one is home. When used properly, programmable thermostats can reduce energy bills by 10 to 30%, and for every 1 degree Fahrenheit that a thermostat is turned down, 1% less energy is used.
Smart thermostats
Are similar to programmable thermostats in that they can be programmed to follow a routine. They also “learn” your behaviors and start making the temperature changes automatically based on your habits and routines. Wi-Fi enabling allows you to control the thermostats from your smart phone, tablet or computer. An added benefit is they track and manage data on your home’s energy use which can helps you monitor your HVAC system’s effectiveness.
Learn more about Smart Thermostats in our blog here.
Choosing the ideal temperature for your home is personal but having an understanding of your HVAC system and thermostats can help you find the right number to ensure everyone is comfortable in your home.
Have further questions regarding your thermostat or your home’s HVAC system? Contact the National Refrigeration team, and we’ll find you a solution.
Whether you need 24-7 emergency service or advice on improving your everyday air quality and comfort—at home and work—call us at 401-737-2000 or email us.