What Is The Best Temperature To Keep Your House In The Winter?
Depending on the time of day and whether or not your home is occupied, you should set your thermostat anywhere between 72° F and 66° F. This is according to most HVAC experts.
However, in reality, you likely set your thermostat depending on factors such as your body temperature and the type of clothing you wear. Obviously, these factors affect how high you set your thermostat to, impacting your home heating costs.
Home Heating: What Temperature Should I Set My Thermostat In Winter?
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To put it another way, the ideal thermostat setting for the winters varies from one person to the next. A wide range of factors affects what is considered an ideal temperature. Here is some more information on this topic.
Experiment With Different Thermostat Settings To Find What Works
According to a series of recent psychological studies by ASHRAE, people have been conditioned to believe that 72° F (22° C) is the ideal daytime room temperature. For instance, in one such study, the participants could not tell whether the thermostat was set at 68° F or 72° F. In other words, they were equally comfortable in either room temperature.
To determine your ideal comfort level temperature in the winter, you, too, can conduct a similar experiment. More specifically, use 72° F as a reference point. Set your thermostat a few degrees higher or lower for a few hours every day until you determine the ideal comfort level temperature for your home in the winter. In essence, by carrying out your own experiment, you will find the best temperature to keep your house in the winter.
At this point, it is important to note that you can cut your heating costs by 5% to 15% by merely setting your thermostat 10° to 15° F lower for about 8 hours every day in the winter, according to the US Department of Energy (DoE). You can set your thermostat a few degrees lower during the day when your home is unoccupied or at night when you go to sleep. If you often forget to adjust your thermostat’s settings accordingly, install a smart or programmable thermostat to automate the process.
Heat Loss and Monitor Humidity Levels
To minimize heat loss from your home, ensure conditioned air does not leak through your home’s envelope.
Your home can lose conditioned air through small cracks and openings. By sealing these cracks, you will prevent cold drafts from entering your home. Doing so helps keep your heating costs relatively low.
More importantly, it helps you attain comfortable indoor temperature in the winter. At the same time, it will prevent mold growth, helping improve your indoor air quality. Additionally, remember to close the curtains and other window treatments at night.
Besides cold drafts and air leaks, the humidity will also determine the best temperature to keep your home in the winter. In the winter, your home’s humidity levels should range anywhere from 25% to 40%, according to the DoE.
Remember, humid air tends to hold more heat. Therefore, if the air inside your home is too dry, your heating system will have to work harder to heat your home, leading to higher heating costs. Additionally, the dry air may cause sinus problems.
Conclusion
Contrary to popular belief, you should not necessarily set your thermostat between 72° F and 66° F in the winter. The best temperature to keep your house in the winter is essentially the temperature that keeps you warm and comfortable. While setting your thermostat a few degrees lower in the winter may help you cut your heating costs, it will not necessarily improve your home’s indoor comfort levels. Still, you can take measures to lower your heating bills without compromising your home’s indoor comfort levels. These measures include closing your curtains and other window treatments at night, ensuring your home is properly insulated and sealed, and investing in a smart or programmable thermostat.
Lawes Company is a trusted HVAC company that can service your heating system correctly. We have NATE certified technicians on staff who can do an excellent job for you.
At Lawes Company, we offer top class HVAC repairs, installations, tune-ups, and replacements. Our experts have the skills, tools, and expertise to give you the best practical and most affordable services. Our services aim to improve your comfort while increasing your home’s energy efficiency and reducing your home heating costs. Get in touch with us today, and we will be happy to serve you. We offer free, in-home estimates.
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