Thermostat Temperature Setting: What Is Best?

Posted: March 3, 2020

To achieve an optimum balance of comfort and savings, the U.S Department of Energy suggests the following temperature settings for your home thermostat.

Cold weather months:

• When you’re home and awake, set the thermostat for 68°F.
• Lower temperatures by 10° for the hours you’re asleep or out of the house.

Warm weather months:

• When you’re home and awake, program your air conditioning system to 78°F.
• Program the AC to shut off during the hours you’re out of the house.

Timing:

• Program your heat or A/C to shut off 20-30 minutes before you leave home each day; return the temperature setting to normal comfort levels 20 to 30 minutes before you come home.
• Program reductions in heating or cooling to begin 60 minutes before you go to sleep; return them to normal comfort levels 30 minutes before you awaken.

Programming your thermostat

Studies show that about nine out of ten people say they’ve rarely or never programmed their thermostat because they’re not sure how to do it. That’s a shame, considering that managing the temperature of your home is one of the easiest ways to save energy and lower heating and cooling expenses.

If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, getting one is a smart move: When used correctly, it will pay for itself in just a short time. If you opt for a Wi-Fi thermostat, you can control your home’s temperature from your smartphone.

How does a wireless thermostat work?

Once you get your wireless remote smart thermostat installed, you register it online. This enables you to access it from any location. If you’re away from home, you can use your smartphone to adjust the temperature setting so your home is at the perfect temperature when you arrive.

Some models will do all of the work for you. You simply adjust temperatures to your comfort and over the next few days your thermostat will “remember” the temperatures you like and build a schedule based on your patterns.

Internet-enabled thermostats can also send you an email or text alert about a drastic temperature change—and possible equipment failure. Some models can let you know when it’s time to change filters or schedule system maintenance.

Be smart and save on your monthly energy bills year-round. Contact us today and ask about our wireless comfort control systems!