As winter gets closer and the temperature dips, finding ways to save money on your heating bills becomes a top priority. One of the simplest ways is changing your thermostat settings to optimize energy usage without compromising comfort.

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

Overall, a good rule of thumb is the lower the temperature inside your home and the less difference there is between the air inside your home and the exterior temperature, the more money you will save on your monthly energy costs.

Best Thermostat Settings While You Are at Home

When you’re at home, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommends dialing your thermostat to between 68°F and 70°F in the winter. That’s warm enough to keep the majority of families comfy, but also low enough to be energy efficient.

Effective Temperature Settings While You Going to Be Out of Your Home

The DOE states you can save as much as 10% on your home heating costs by turning down your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. This way, you’re not wasting money heating your home while you’re not there.

Authorities say, if you are going on vacation or will be gone a prolonged period of time, you can adjust 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 while you are away.

When you get back to your house, turn up the temperature gradually. That will keep your heating system from working too hard, which could be the case if you raise the temperature on your thermostat quite high right away.

Recommended Thermostat Settings While You Are in Bed for The Night

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

Other Tactics to Use Less Energy on Your HVAC in Winter

There are several other ways you can employ so you consume less energy this winter while you heat your home. They include:

Examine your insulation levels

Insulate doors, windows and walls to minimize drafts, keep warm air inside and protect against heat loss. This will limit the pressure on your heating equipment and save energy.

Install a programmable thermostat

Purchase a programmable thermostat to control the temperature in your home efficiently. Set lower temperatures when you're out of your home or asleep and increase them only when necessary.

For even more savings, set up a smart thermostat that can sense when you are in or out and modify the temperature correctly. To learn more about these systems or for smart thermostat installation in Santa Clarita, get a hold of the skilled technicians at Verona HVAC. We can explain how smart thermostats can help your home's comfort—and your pocketbook.

H3: Schedule furnace maintenance:

Plan to hire someone to do regular maintenance for your HVAC system. A well-maintained system runs more efficiently, lowering energy consumption and potentially avoiding costly repairs. Clean or replace air filters regularly to assure proper airflow.

For furnace maintenance in Santa Clarita, call the team at Verona HVAC. We will get your system in peak condition!

Seal air leaks

Locate and close off any air leaks in your home. Typical sites for leaks tend to be windows, doors, attic hatches and ductwork. Plugging these gaps prevents warm air from leaking out of your home, making your HVAC system work less to maintain a sufficient temperature.

Update your HVAC system

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

If you’re thinking about investing in a new heating system, call the pros at Verona HVAC. We’re known for experienced furnace installation in Santa Clarita and will help you pick a unit that’s perfect for your home! Call 661-475-1042 today to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation estimate!