Finances & Money • Saving Money

Save Money On Heating Costs

As we move through the month of November, the weather gets cooler, and furnaces across the colder climates start to work harder. Energy conscious people switch gears from setting the thermostat to 76 or higher setting in the summer to 68 or lower in the winter. The temperature a person is used to plays a big role in perceived comfort, and making a large sudden change to the normal indoor temperature can result in a lot of grumbling by family members. The good news is, there’s an easy way to bring down the usual thermostat setting and save money on heating costs without hearing constant complaints of how cold it is in the house.

Pick a Starting Temperature

Once the outside weather dictates the heating system needs to be turned on, pick a reasonable starting temperature (for example, 70 degrees) for the hours when the home is occupied.

Turn It Down, Slowly

After about a week, reduce the thermostat by one degree. This is a small enough difference such that it likely won’t be noticed by anyone. After a week, reduce it again by another degree. This method gives your body time to become accustomed to the new normal temperature before another adjustment.

Repeat this process until you achieve the desired temperature which balances your want to keep your heating energy costs down with comfort.

Other Tips To Save On Heating

In addition to this thermostat game, there are also more traditional ways to save money on heating costs:

• Don’t Set It And Forget:  It’s easy to just leave your thermostat at the same setting all the time. However, you can save a little extra energy, and money, by adjusting your thermostat during times of the day when you’re not home. If you have a manual thermostat, turn it down before you leave and turn it back up when you get home. If you have a programmable thermostat it takes just a few minutes to set up a program that will do it for you automatically.
• Seal Windows: Heat can leak out of your home through imperfectly sealed windows. You can help prevent heat from escaping with plastic sheeting. This is an inexpensive way to make your heating system more efficient.
• Attic Insulation: We all know heat rises, and insufficient attic insulation may let heat escape through the roof of your home. Homes should have access to the attic, making it relatively easy to add more insulation. This may incur a significant cost, but in the long run, it will be worth it, especially in colder climates.

Energy costs can soar during the winter months as your furnace works to keep your home warm and toasty. By following these simple steps you can save money on heating costs and be comfortable.

How about you, Clever Friends, what do you have your thermostat set to during the winter? Do you adjust it for times when no one is home?