As winter draws near and the temperature drops, finding ways to save money on your heating bills becomes a top priority. One of the simplest techniques is changing your thermostat settings to optimize energy usage without sacrificing comfort.

With multiple options and techniques available, it's possible to reduce your heating costs while still making your home cozy throughout the chilly season. Irrespective of whether you prefer a programmable thermostat or manual device, there are many ways to find the ideal balance between warmth and savings.

Overall, a good guideline is the lower the temperature in your home and the less difference there is between the air inside your home and the outside temperature, the more money you will save on your monthly energy costs.

Money-Saving Thermostat Settings While You Are at Home

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

Effective Temperature Settings While You Are Away

The DOE estimates you can save up to 10% on your heating costs by turning down your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. By using this method, you’re not needlessly spending money heating your home while you’re not there.

Industry professionals say, if you are going on vacation or will be gone a long period of time, you can put your thermostat as low as 50 degrees. Doing this will keep your furnace running so you don’t have any frozen or burst pipes waiting for you when you get home.

When you arrive home, turn up the temperature slowly. That will keep your heating system from working too hard, which could happen if you raise the temperature on your thermostat very high right away.

Suggested Thermostat Settings While You Are Sleeping

The nice thing about sleep-time thermostat settings in the winter is that people generally sleep well when it’s a little colder. The National Sleep Foundation reports somewhere between 66 and 70 degrees is the ideal temperature range for quality sleep.

Additional Tactics to Use Less Energy on Your HVAC in Winter

There are several other techniques you can utilize to consume less energy this winter while you heat your home. They include:

Examine your insulation levels

Insulate doors, windows and walls to cut down on drafts, keep warm air inside and prevent heat loss. This will decrease the workload on your heating equipment and save energy.

Set up a programmable thermostat

Purchase a programmable thermostat to control the temperature in your home efficiently. Set lower temperatures when you're not home or asleep and increase them only when required.

For even more savings, purchase a smart thermostat that can sense when you are in or out and modify the temperature correctly. To learn more about these gadgets or for smart thermostat installation in Albuquerque, get a hold of the skilled technicians at I-Deal HVAC. We can provide you with information about how smart thermostats can help your home's comfort—and your pocketbook.

H3: Arrange furnace maintenance:

Plan to hire someone to do regular maintenance for your heating system. A well-maintained system functions more efficiently, lowering energy consumption and probably avoiding costly repairs. Clean or change air filters on a regular basis to ensure proper airflow.

For furnace maintenance in Albuquerque, call the team at I-Deal HVAC. Our specialists will get your system in peak condition!

Seal air leaks

Detect and close off any air leaks in your home. Common spots for leaks are windows, doors, attic hatches and ductwork. Closing these gaps prevents warm air from escaping, 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 desire, furnace replacement may be an ideal long-term option. Contemporary furnaces are extremely efficient, which can notably lower your monthly bills compared to an old or inefficient model.

If you’re interested in investing in a new heating system, phone the professionals at I-Deal HVAC. We’re recognized for skilled furnace installation in Albuquerque and will help you choose a unit that’s ideal for your home! Call 505-445-1250 today to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation estimate!