At What Temperature Should I Set My Thermostat?

Winter weather can make us freeze. With polar vortexes and snowfall, you might feel the need to turn up your thermostat a few degrees. But cranking up the heat will raise your utility bill, even if it’s only by a few degrees Fahrenheit. Chapman, the man for all seasons has advice regarding the right thermostat setting for every season so your bills stay low and your house stays comfortable.

Recommended Thermostat Settings in the Winter

Although the wind chill might make it frigid outside, it shouldn’t be cold inside your house. Just because it’s in the single digits, doesn’t mean you need to crank the heat in your house. The Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 68℉ during the winter months. This keeps your home warm enough during the coldest months, preventing issues like freezing pipes.

If you set the thermostat to 68 degrees Fahrenheit and find that your house is still freezing, resist turning up the heat. For every one degree you adjust the temperature, it could add up to a 1% change in your heating bill. This goes for turning your thermostat up or down. So if your house is set above 68℉, lower the temperature, and see how much energy savings it creates.

If it seems like your furnace is constantly running and your house isn’t getting any warmer, then there might be a problem with your furnace. Call Chapman for a furnace cleaning or inspection. Maintaining your furnace regularly will keep it running efficiently all winter long and ensure you always have heat when you need it. 

What Temperature Should I Set My Thermostat in the Summer?

Summers in Indiana can be brutally hot. But like your heat, you don’t want to crank your air conditioner to try to cool your house down faster. This just wastes energy and puts extra stress on your appliances. The ideal temperature to set your thermostat in the Summer is 78℉. 

It never hurts to turn off your air conditioner now and again and open your windows to let the breeze cool your house. This is a great idea when temperatures are in the low to mid 80s and your thermostat would be close to the temperature outside anyway. 

In the spring, before temperatures get really hot, test your air conditioner to make sure it’s running properly. Make sure to schedule your regular spring maintenance with Chapman, too. This will prevent future repairs and increase the lifespan for your air conditioner. 

Ways to Maintain a Comfortable Temperature In Your Home

Now that you know what temperature to set your thermostat in both the winter and summer, you probably are looking for tips to save money on your energy bill while staying comfortable. The best thing you can do is have a smart or programmable thermostat installed.

With a programmable thermostat, you can set temperature schedules throughout the day. Your thermostat can automatically turn up the heat when you get up in the morning and turn it down in the afternoon when you’re at work, based on the temperatures you preset. Even these little adjustments throughout the day can save you big bucks on your utility bill. Did you forget to turn the heat down before you left for work? New smart thermostats are another option that can be controlled with your cell phone or digital assistant. 

Although 68℉ might not be ideal for all the members of your house, you can still keep warm by wearing extra layers of clothes, opening blinds and curtains and letting the sun heat rooms during the day, and closing off vents in unused rooms. If your house has drafty windows, apply shrink-to-fit plastic wrap around them to keep the warm air from escaping your house.

Call Chapman to Stay Comfortable All Year Long

Contact Chapman for your air conditioning, heating and indoor air quality needs. Whether it’s learning the best temperature settings, or which programmable thermostat is right for you, Chapman is here to help. Contact us today to learn more about your home’s heating and cooling system so you can stay comfortable no matter the season.