When people ask what the ideal temperature is to set their thermostat, our answer is always — it depends. And it depends on a whole lot of factors.
You can save up to 10% each year on utility bills by setting your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees higher in summer. You can also set it lower in winter for at least eight hours per day, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
In order to achieve that, a programmable thermostat is the easiest, most effective, and most cost-efficient tool. Ambient Edge can assist you with everything from programmable thermostat installation to a home energy audit to help you determine how best to save energy and money. Give us a call at (702) 723-4704 and we can help you find the ideal answer for your home.
What Temperature to Use During the Winter
With winter temperatures in the west and southwest regions of the U.S. hovering in the 30s and 40s, comfortable indoor temperatures generally need to be a bit higher.
Most experts recommend an indoor temperature of 68 degrees in the winter, turning the thermostat down a few degrees for comfortable sleeping. However, this, of course, depends on the weather outdoors and the residents indoors.
Many a relationship has been strained by warring thermostat increases and decreases.
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Saving Energy in Winter
If your goal is to save money by saving energy in the winter, there are other ways to stay warm instead of cranking the heat.
- Adding layers of sweater, socks, and blankets
- Drink warm beverages and eat soup to warm yourself from the inside
- Keep your oven door open after cooking to allow the escaping air to heat the surrounding area of your home
- Keep your vents clear of any furniture, boxes, curtains, or obstacles in order to maximize the flow of warm air throughout your home
- Get moving — movement and exercise keep your body warm
Where to Keep Your Thermostat During Summer Temperatures
Arizona and Nevada are notorious for scorching summer months, so that is typically peak time for central air conditioning use.
Energy efficiency experts say that 72 to 78 degrees is the ideal range in summer. But, few things make people argue more than being uncomfortable and sweaty, trying to convince another to turn up the air conditioner.
How to Conserve Energy in the Summer
While it’s tempting to keep turning up the AC, you can stay cool while saving energy (and money) in summer.
- Close doors and windows during the day, but open them in the evening to help let cooler air circulate
- Turn off the lights, and don’t use the oven or clothes dryer during the day
- Keep window coverings or blinds closed against the heat of the sun
- Don’t use your dishwasher during the day and, use only the air-dry feature after it runs at night
- Stay cool by drinking lots of chilled beverages
- Grill outdoors as much as possible
- Use fans cleverly to maximize the flow of cold air through your home
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Mind the Thermostat Even if You’re Planning on Going Away
If you’re going to be away from your home for more than a few weeks, consider turning your air conditioning off, if you’re leaving in summer. For winter, leave your home heated to no lower than 55 degrees to help keep your pipes from freezing.
While you may feel it’s silly to heat your home when you’re not in it, it’s a messy, expensive disaster to return home to burst pipes and water damage.
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The Benefits of a Programmable Thermostat
Having a programmable thermostat installed is an easy, proven way to save money. Often a significant amount of money. In fact, a programmable thermostat can pay for itself in energy saved within four years or fewer, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Convenience
When you can set your home’s temperatures to various times during the day, you can literally set it and forget it. No more worrying about turning down the thermostat before you leave the house or adjusting the temperature at night for comfortable sleeping. It’s taken care of for you.
Energy Efficiency
Some programmable thermostats have energy efficiency programs. But if yours doesn’t, simply knowing precisely at what temperature you’re most comfortable, can save energy. If you think you’re happiest at 72 degrees, but you have your thermostat set to 68 and you’re comfy, you can keep the temperature set there and save energy. It is also energy efficient to automatically adjust the temperature when you leave, so you’re not heating or cooling an empty house.
App-Controlled
You’re always in control of the temperature settings and what they hold at. But for “smart” thermostats, digital thermostats connected to wifi, you can go even further.
The EnergyStar program recommends smart thermostats for their ability to be controlled by an app or program even if you’re not home, as well as for the data reports they can generate pinpointing and breaking down your energy usage.
Schedule Your Home Energy Audit or Programmable Thermostat Installation Today
If you’re not sure where to get started saving energy in your home, call Ambient Edge at
(702) 723-4704 to schedule a home energy audit. We do a thorough assessment of your home, inside and out, to let you know how much energy you use and how much energy your home is wasting.
