You should set the central
The cheapest time to put the heating on tends to be during off-peak hours when your local energy rates are lower. The specific time may vary depending on your energy provider and location, but generally, off-peak hours are overnight and during the early hours of the morning.
What is the cheapest time to heat your home? Local energy rates are lower during off-peak hours (usually overnight and early morning) although exact times vary depending on where you live and your energy supplier.
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.
Generally, it's useful to have your heating come on around half an hour before you get up in the morning. Then, have turn it off again around half an hour before you go to bed. If you're planning on being out of the house, you can turn the heating off while nobody's in.
Keeping heating on low all day is unlikely to save money in the long run. There's always heat loss when heating a home, and extending the time your heating is switched on will increase the amount of heat loss you end up paying for.
Keeping your home at a constant temperature generally means that your HVAC system will run constantly to meet it. This means that your furnace or air conditioner may run when you're asleep, at work, or out of the house. This wastes more energy than the minimal amount that you might save by having it constantly run.
68 to 72 degrees is a temperature range that is not too warm or cool, and is sufficient enough to warm up the home just enough so that everyone is comfortable regardless of the type of clothing they have on.
The Carnot cycle is the most efficient engine possible based on the assumption of the absence of incidental wasteful processes such as friction, and the assumption of no conduction of heat between different parts of the engine at different temperatures.
According to the experts at the Energy Saving 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.
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.
The exact hours of off-peak rates vary by supplier, but are generally between 10pm and 8am for Economy 7. Economy 7 meters won't normally adjust themselves for when the clocks go forward or back. Make sure you ask your supplier how this will affect you and, if you can, adjust your use of appliances accordingly.
According to the US Department of Energy, shifting your thermostat setting seven to ten degrees for eight hours a day can shave 10% off your heating and cooling bills.
Average (12 °C – 15°C): Aim for around 4 – 6 hours of heating, focusing on times when you're home and active. Cold (below 12°C): You might need longer heating periods, potentially 8 to 10 hours.
A temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit is often considered the best temperature to set thermostat in winter to save money. But why is 68 degrees the best winter thermostat setting? In winter, heat loss through walls, windows, and doors is a significant contributor to energy wastage.
According to the DOE, setting your thermostat back 7°F to 10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting can help you save up to 10% in energy costs. This means keeping your thermostat around 78°F in the summer (higher when you're asleep or away) or around 68°F to 70°F in the winter (lower when you're asleep or away).
Open your curtains during the day - the sun still provides warmth even in the winter months. Make sure you close them as soon as the sun sets to keep the warm air in. Investing in thicker curtains, or thermal curtain liners, will help keep the cold air out and prevent heat loss.
There may be drafts and pockets of colder air near the floor; The walls are colder and don't emit the usual amount of infrared radiation, so you lose heat due to your body emitting more IR than it receives; You may spend more time indoors and hence have less physical activity, so your body generates less heat.
The winter thermostat setting should at minimum be between 50-55 degrees to keep your appliances and pipes from freezing. The worst way to end a vacation or wake up one morning is to a frozen dishwasher or a flooded basement.
Setting your thermostat just a single digit higher can help you save 6 percent on your cooling costs, according to the EPA.
Don't set your thermostat too low
“You have to keep it really low to really get into a health concern," he said. "What you want to do is keep it at a reasonable temperature that's not chilly.” The World Health Organization recommends keeping indoor temperatures between 64 and 75 degrees for healthy people.
Rule of Thumb
Set your thermostat back 10-15 degrees during the times that you are not home. Don't forget to review your energy bills before the replacement of your thermostat.
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.