As winter gets closer and the temperature falls, finding ways to save money on your energy bills becomes a top priority. One of the best techniques is adjusting your thermostat settings to optimize energy usage without compromising comfort.

With numerous options and techniques available, you can reduce your heating costs while still trying to keep your home cozy throughout the chilly season. Irrespective of whether you prefer a programmable thermostat or manual device, there are several ways to find the ideal balance between warmth and savings.

Overall, a good guideline is the lower the temperature in your home and the less difference there is between the air inside your home and the outside temperature, the more money you will save on heating.

Ideal Thermostat Settings While You Are at Home

When you’re going to be home, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) advises dialing your thermostat to between 68°F and 70°F in the winter. That’s warm enough to keep lots of families cozy, but also low enough to be energy efficient.

Effective Temperature Settings While You Are Away

The DOE states you can save up to 10% on your HVAC costs by lowering your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day. That way, you’re not throwing away money heating your home while you’re not there.

Authorities say, if you are going on vacation or will be gone a long period of time, you can put your thermostat as low as 50 degrees. Doing this will keep your furnace running so you don’t have any frozen or burst pipes while you are away.

When you return to your home, raise the temperature little by little. That will keep your heating system from working too hard, which it could if you raise the temperature on your thermostat very high right away.

Suggested Thermostat Settings While You Are Sleeping

The nice thing about sleep-time thermostat settings in the winter is that people get good sleep when it’s a little colder. The National Sleep Foundation suggests somewhere between 66 and 70 degrees is the optimal temperature range for good sleep.

More Tactics to Use Less Energy on Your HVAC in Winter

There are a number of other approaches you can use to consume less energy this winter while you heat your home. They include:

Check your insulation levels

Insulate doors, windows and walls to reduce drafts, keep warm air inside and avoid heat loss. This will limit the workload on your HVAC system and save energy.

Buy a programmable thermostat

Install a programmable thermostat to control the temperature in your home efficiently. Set lower temperatures when you're out of your home or asleep and increase them only when required.

For even more savings, purchase a smart thermostat that can detect when you are in or out and change the temperature correctly. To learn more about these products or for smart thermostat installation in Omaha, contact the skilled technicians at The Frazier Company. We can explain how smart thermostats can benefit your home's comfort—and your pocketbook.

H3: Schedule furnace maintenance:

Plan regular maintenance for your HVAC system. A well-maintained heating system runs more efficiently, lowering energy consumption and probably avoiding costly repairs. Clean or change air filters on a regular basis to assure proper airflow.

For furnace maintenance in Omaha, call the team at The Frazier Company. We will get your system in excellent working order!

Seal air leaks

Detect and seal any air leaks in your home. Frequent sites for leaks are windows, doors, attic hatches and ductwork. Plugging these gaps blocks warm air from leaking out of your home, making your HVAC system work less to maintain a cozy temperature.

Improve your HVAC system

If your HVAC equipment is old, inefficient or just isn’t able to keep your home as warm as you want, furnace replacement may be a good long-term solution. Today’s furnaces are highly efficient, which can dramatically reduce your monthly bills compared to an old or inefficient model.

If you’re contemplating getting a new heating system, contact the specialists at The Frazier Company. We’re known for experienced furnace installation in Omaha and will help you find a unit that’s well suited for your home! Call 402-628-0206 today to schedule a complimentary, no-obligation estimate!