While some homeowners have considered turning off their heat at night in an attempt to lower their heating bills, it generally is not recommended as a viable option. The fact is, turning your heat off at night creates more potential risk for your home and your family than it does savings on your energy bill.
According to Energy.gov, the better way to save money on heating bills is to set back the temperature of your home at least 8 degrees for 8 hours or longer (while you sleep). In fact, you can save 1% on your heating bill for every degree that you lower the thermostat.
According the U.S. Department of Energy, “You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting.” That sounds like a decisive answer, but it's not quite that simple.
According to the experts at the Energy Savings Trust, the idea that you can save money by keeping your central heating permanently on low is a myth. This is mainly because of problems with home insulation. If your house is old or draughty, for example, heat will be leaking out through windows and doors.
ANSWER: Turning your heat on and off is not cost effective, since your system will have to work extra hard for extra long to get the temperature back up.
Hot, dry air can leave you dehydrated, and even reduces your ability to fight off infections. Leaving the central heating on all night can also leave you thirsty and with a dry mouth.
Not only is it okay to leave the heater on all night, it can save you money. Here's the secret: Set the temperature of your home at least eight degrees lower for the eight hours or so that you sleep at night. Every degree you lower the thermostat can net you an estimated 1% off your heating bill.
Unless it gets considerably colder overnight, your home should retain much of the heat of the day without getting uncomfortably cold. When temperatures are above 60 degrees consistently, it's usually time to turn off your heating system for the season.
Parts of the UK could be facing temperatures as low as -12C tonight, and weather warnings are in place across the country. According to research from Energy Helpline, keeping your radiators on all night will cost you an extra £10.80 a day.
The Department of Energy estimates homeowners using programmable thermostats this way can save as much as 15% a year on heating and cooling by simply setting back the temperature by 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting.
Sleep scientists suggest that for optimal sleeping conditions, room temperature should be between 60 and 67°F. That figure is considerably lower than the daytime recommendation, furthering your heating bill savings while also reaping improved sleep.
Furnace. In general, furnaces are the most efficient of the heating systems, especially if you have natural gas. They work by heating air with a component called a heat exchanger and pushing it into the home through a duct system, using a fan (often referred to as a blower).
The best bedroom temperature for sleep is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius). This may vary by a few degrees from person to person, but most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat set between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius) for the most comfortable sleep.
The average gas bill for a 3-bed house
Typically, a 3-bed house would cost £840 per year or £70 per month. This is based on the average cost of gas being around 7p per kWh. The size of the house will also have a big impact on how much you're paying each month.
For every degree that you lower the thermostat can help you save up to 1% on your heating costs. So, if you turn down the heating eight degrees for about eight hours a night, you can enjoy a saving of approximately $180 annually on your heating.
A safe temperature is accepted to be between 68 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit for people above the age of 65. The temperature inside your home should not reach below 68 degrees Fahrenheit in any case, as that increases the risk of respiratory disease and even hypothermia if there is prolonged exposure.
Tips for Keeping Cool During Sleep
For most people, the temperature in the bedroom at night should not exceed 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and it should be even lower for people that sleep best in a cool bedroom.
In a nutshell, it depends how much of your home you want to heat. Overall, for heating the same space, an electric heater costs more than twice as much as using central heating. However, electric radiators can be more cost effective if you're heating a small area of your house like one or two rooms.
For winter, the ideal thermostat temperature is 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home. Energy.gov 68 degrees is a good room temperature while you're awake at home, but recommends lowering it while you're asleep or away. Lowering your thermostat 10-15 degrees for eight hours can reduce your heating bill by 5-15%.
As a general rule, heating your home with a natural gas furnace is the cheapest way to keep warm through the winter months. Electricity is usually significantly more expensive than gas, so even the most efficient heaters will be a bigger drain on your pocketbook than a traditional furnace.
Infrared Heaters – the lowest wattage per heat provided makes these the cheapest to run. Oil-Filled Heaters – their long-lasting heat makes the most out of the electricity.
The lower the temperature is inside of the home, the slower the rate of thermal energy loss. To achieve optimal comfort, it is recommended for homeowners to set their thermostats between 68 to 72 degrees while there are people inside of the home.