Turn down the heat this winter

Do you want to save around 10% a season on your winter heating bills? Then all you have to do is simply turn your thermostat back 10°–15° for eight
hours a day. A good average daily temperature is 68 degrees, you can do this automatically by installing a programmable thermostat. Programmable
thermostats come in many models with multiple settings, but even the most basic model will save you a bundle as remember as with all electronic
purchases, when shopping for a programmable thermostat, be sure to look for the ENERGY STAR® label.

Photo credit: DarrenJohnston22 from Flickr

By using a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the times the heating comes according to a pre-set schedule determined by you and your family. As a
result, the heating doesn’t operate when you are asleep or
when the house is empty, whilst you are at work for example. For each 8 hour period you reduce the temperature you will save one
percent. So if you reduce your thermostat setting every night by 5
degrees while you are sleeping you will save 5% over the course of the
heating season. Plus you don’t use as much energy resources so your global footprint will be lowered.

When programming your thermostat, you should consider when you normally go to
sleep and wake up. Try to turn the heat down an hour or so before your normal bedtime, but you will want the house warm for waking up so turn up the heat 30-60 minutes before you rise. Also if you are gone for more than two hours then turn the heating off altogether. The times are guidelines see what works for your family. Especially if you have a large family and people are always popping in and out. If turning your thermostat down/off during the day isn’t an option then you can still save resources by just reducing the nightime temperature. Remember something is better than nothing when saving energy resources. Plus it’s no coincidence that saving energy results in saving money!

Another point to remember for heating systems is to check your heating system’s filters once a month and clean or replace
as needed. Maintaining the heating system helps it run longer while using
less energy.

dalgal | My Bio & Articles