Find your thermostat’s sweet spot and stay comfortable this winter.

Nothing reminds us that winter has taken hold like the sharp jolt of a bed of ice and the crisp morning air. It’s the season when the heat gets serious. But staying warm means more than just turning on the thermostat.

Winter comfort often comes with a hefty price tag, and many people dread paying their utility bills. There’s good news here. This doesn’t have to be the case. Whether you have a traditional furnace or a modern HVAC system, a little know-how goes a long way. By finding the sweet spot for your heating settings and easily adjusting your home’s energy habits, you can keep costs down and stay comfortable. Winter warmth does not necessarily mean economic freeze.

“It’s not just a number written on the wall,” says Julian Picard, owner of an HVAC company. center line mechanical.

Here’s what you need to know to stay comfortable this winter and save on heating costs.

This is the best thermostat temperature for winter

In winter, Recommended by experts Set your thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re at home, and 60 to 65 degrees when you’re sleeping or out and about.

You can set it higher, but it will be less efficient and lead to higher utility bills. It also depends on the weather outside, Pickard said. If it’s 20 degrees outside, you shouldn’t set your thermostat to 80 degrees, he advised.

Then there’s the issue of changing the temperature at night or when you’re not home. The Department of Energy suggests: Turn the thermostat back to 7-10 degrees Running eight hours a day from normal settings can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling costs.

Picard suggested smaller changes. It lowers your body temperature by just 4 degrees while you are out or sleeping. This means the system doesn’t have to work as hard to bring the temperature back up.

“You don’t want to have sudden changes in temperature,” says Marley Dukes, franchise owner of WIN Home Inspection in Indiana.

You also need to know about your specific heating system. For example, if you notice that your home won’t get up to the temperature you set it to, Pickard says that might mean the system is the wrong size for your home. And this is your cue to lower your thermostat settings so your HVAC isn’t running in overdrive all the time.

read more: You can actually save money by using electricity at certain times of the day.

This is the perfect thermostat temperature for summer

In the summer, the ideal temperature for your thermostat is 75 to 78 degrees when you’re at home and 80 degrees when you’re out and about, Dukes said. The DOE recommends 78°F during the day, 82°F while sleeping, and 85°F when you are away.

Most importantly, make sure your system can handle it. If you notice that your home isn’t getting as cool as your thermostat settings, it probably means your system isn’t the right size for your home, and you might want to turn down the cooling. You can also check how well your doors and windows are sealed and how well your home is insulated.

Air conditioners can only cool your home to 15 to 20 degrees below the outdoor temperature, so setting your thermostat too low can cause the system to work ineffectively.

Look at this: Easy ways to lower your energy bills and save money

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Does it matter what type of HVAC you have?

Yes and no. Pickard says the same general temperature recommendations apply regardless of the type of HVAC installed in your home.

However, results may vary depending on system type and size. Systems that are too large or too small for the size of your home will not operate efficiently, leading to increased heating and cooling costs.

For this reason, Picard recommends having your system inspected and cleaned annually by an HVAC professional. These experts can teach you how to best use a particular system for maximum comfort and efficiency, he said.

Avoid this common thermostat mistake

Let’s say your house is much colder than you’d like and you want it to be perfect. now. Even if the internal temperature is 65°F, you may want to set it to 70°F. Don’t set it to 75°F expecting it to warm up faster. Most HVAC units have two settings, on and off, and cannot reach 70°F any more quickly.

Set the thermostat to the desired temperature. If you set it to a higher or lower temperature than you actually want in hopes of making things go faster, you’ll only end up overcooling or overheating, which will cost you more on your utility bill.

Is the thermostat in the wrong position?

Thermostats have a built-in thermometer, so they know how to set the temperature. Therefore, if the thermostat is installed in the wrong location, it will not be able to accurately measure the temperature of your home.

You want to avoid installing the thermostat in areas where the temperature and humidity change frequently, such as the kitchen or bathroom. If it is on an exterior wall, it may be more susceptible to outdoor temperature changes.

Instead, try installing the thermostat on an interior wall, such as in your living room.

Also, if you have a thermostat that supports external sensors in your room, placing the sensors elsewhere, such as your bedroom, can help you better control the temperature in the rooms where you spend most of your time.

Set your thermostat and save money

It doesn’t have to be difficult to reduce your energy bills this year.

“There’s a big misconception that you have to be uncomfortable to be energy efficient,” Picard says.

Homeowners can also check areas beyond the thermostat. For example, investing in good insulation can significantly reduce the strain on your HVAC system.

“You’d be surprised how much energy we blow into the attic,” Pickard said.

Scheduling annual inspections and maintenance can also help you save money. Picard said buildup within HVAC systems can result in efficiency losses of up to 10% per year, which is reflected in utility bills. That’s why it’s a good idea to clean it every year.

If you’re considering a new HVAC system, now’s a good time to take a look at the inventory and see what’s right for your home.