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.
When you're not home, you should set your thermostat between 60 and 65 degrees. Things to consider are plants, animals, house safety, and outside weather conditions. If you have houseplants, the ideal temperature is usually between 60 and 75 degrees.
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%.
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.
"Having the heating on only when you need it is, in the long run, the best way to save energy, and therefore money," the website explains. "A timer's best as your thermostat turns your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set.
Any time you're awake and at home during the summer, the ideal thermostat temperature is 78 degrees. This home temperature for energy efficiency lowers your cooling bills by 12 percent compared to keeping it at 74 degrees. If you're afraid 78 degrees is too warm, remember to dress for the season.
Turn Down the Thermostat at Night...
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. It's a true win-win.
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.
According to experts at the Energy Saving Trust, the idea it's cheaper to leave the heating on low all day is a myth. They're clear that having the heating on only when you need it is, in the long run, the best way to save energy, and therefore money.
Space heaters do use less energy as compared to using central heat. However, they are not as efficient as space heaters. As such, having a space heater in every room in the home and turning them all on at the same will only cost you more, not less.
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.
Set it somewhere between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. People sleep better in that temperature range. “Not only in terms of maintaining sleep, but also of falling asleep,” says Alon Avidan, MD, MPH, director of the UCLA Sleep Disorders Center.
Even if you keep your temperature between 60°F and 65°F, your home or apartment may not be warm enough to keep you safe. This is a special problem if you live alone because there is no one else to feel the chilliness of the house or notice if you are having symptoms of hypothermia.
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.
Thermostat Operation
You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home.
What's The Best Temperature To Set Your Thermostat: Summer
Typically, our bodies are most comfortable when the air inside our home is 74-76 degrees. So, a safe setting is 75 degrees. However, this is only necessary when you're in your home.
Generally, our bodies are most comfortable when the air inside of our home is within a degree or two of a steady 75 degrees F during the hot, summer months. This temperature setting, however, is only necessary when your house is occupied during waking hours.
Depending on the season, the ideal house temperature for both comfort and efficiency is between 68 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. In the summer, the recommended thermostat setting is 78 degrees F. In the winter, 68 degrees is recommended for energy savings.
But in this case, you need to take into account that your energy bills will rise enormously. However, there is a general rule of thumb that says we should turn the heat on when colds arrive if the temperature outside reaches the level of 64 degrees Fahrenheit or lower.
Electric radiators are 100% efficient when it comes to transforming electrical energy to heat. In comparison, gas come in at 90%. So the most efficient heating system is electric. Yet, mains gas provides the most cost-effective heating.
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).
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.
What are the running costs of a gas fire? Gas is often much cheaper than other sources of heating – up to 70% compared to electric fires. This is because gas has its own source, whereas electric is heated via another source.