Set your thermostat at 70 degrees or lower. Your
What costs the most on your electric bill? Heating and cooling are by far the greatest energy users in the home, making up around 40% of your electric bill. Other big users are washers, dryers, ovens, and stoves. Electronic devices like laptops and TVs are usually pretty cheap to run, but of course, it can all add up.
Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees.
For every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you'll save an average of 3 percent on heating costs. Wear warm clothing like a sweater and set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower during the day and evening, health permitting.
It might be cheaper to heat one room with an electric heater. But it depends on the size of the room and how long you need to heat it for. Although gas costs about four times less than electricity per kWh, it will usually be heating more than one room through the central heating system.
If you use a space heater in your home, please be aware that using a space heater can cause a significant increase in your monthly bill. A 1,000-watt space heater operating 12 hours a day will add about $40 to your monthly bill. If the cost does not deter you, remember how important it is to use space heaters safely.
To save money, aim to have your temperature set around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and awake. This is a comfortable temperature for most with the help of a light sweater. Overnight and when you're out, around 64 degrees Fahrenheit will keep your home at a good temperature.
Adjust Your Thermostat
One of the easiest energy saving tips for winter is to adjust your thermostat when you're sleeping or out of the house. According to the DOE, reducing the thermostat setting by 7-10 degrees for 8 hours every day can reduce your average heating bill by up to 10%.
Consistently high bills, or high bills in the summer when heating costs drop for most households, can often be attributed to high gas supply rates, older, inefficient appliances, a need to better maintain or service your gas appliances, window and door drafts, heat loss through the attic or chimney, or opportunities to ...
Extra showers, more lights, and adjusting the thermostat even just a couple degrees can all add up to a higher electric bill.
If you want to test how much power your appliances and devices are using in standby mode, you can buy an electricity usage monitor device. These devices allow you to plug in various tech or appliances and check how much power they're actually using, even in standby mode.
Thermostat settings play a pivotal role in managing your heating system's efficiency. It's a common misconception that leaving your heating on at a constant temperature is more energy-efficient than turning it on and off. Does turning the heat on and off raise the bill each month? The answer is no.
Quick answer: The ideal house temperature is room temperature, which ranges from 68 to 78 degrees F, though this may vary from season to season. In winter, the average room temperature is generally 62 to 68 degrees, whereas in the summer, the average temperature is 72 to 78 degrees.
Thermostat Operation
The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home.
Set your thermostat to 78 degrees.
According to the Edison Electric Institute, raising your thermostat by just one degree in the summer will decrease your electric bill by 2 percent. So, when it's in the triple digits outside, setting your thermostat to 78 degrees offers a respite from the heat.
The type of heating system and its energy source will determine its efficiency and operating costs. Different heating systems are going to impact different energy bills. If you have a heat pump, it's going to increase your electricity bill, whereas if you have a gas furnace, it's going to impact your gas bill.
Old windows and drafty attic spaces with air leaks are common culprits behind unusually high electric bills. Invest in new energy-efficient windows with better seals and glass, and make sure attic and basement spaces have proper insulation. The investment today will save you money on your bill down the road.
To find out, we did the math. While there are variables, including regional energy prices, energy type used to heat your home, local climate and home size, we relied on broad national averages to find an answer. It turns out you can save hundreds of dollars -- up to $500 if you're heating a large home with pricey oil.