Thermostat Setting Recommendations
Written on: November 29, 2021
Not All Thermostat Settings are Created Equal
Is there an ideal thermostat setting? After all, everyone has different temperature preferences. If you’ve never argued with a roommate or family member over where to set the thermostat in terms of heating or cooling, we’ll have to just take your word for it. However, there ARE guidelines you can follow to maximize your system’s energy efficiency, lower your costs, and enjoy comfort in your South Shore of Massachusetts home year-round – whatever that means to you! Give us a call and our experienced Williams Energy technicians will be happy to go over your thermostat settings with you.
Factors to Take into Account When Choosing Your Thermostat Setting
There are several factors to consider when trying to pinpoint that “magic number” on your thermostat. You’ll want to think about:
- How big your home is, and how many stories it has: Do you use most of the space available to you, or are there rooms or entire floors you don’t spend much time enjoying? Installing a thermostat on each level of your home can be a practical investment. Since heat rises, the settings on the upper floors of a multi-story home should be kept higher than the main floor, by at least two degrees.
- Your family’s seasonal preferences: Do you prioritize keeping your home cooler so you can cover up with a blanket, or would you rather be able to pop your windows open and enjoy the fresh air? Your answers may change, of course, depending on the season – although, if your preferences are consistent, that can make it easier to plan your energy usage throughout the year.
- Do you utilize a backup heating or cooling source that can impact the temperature in your home? Running your fireplace all day or blowing the fans on high can help or hurt your system’s ability to reach the desired temperature.
Changes You Can Make to Give Your Thermostat’s Efficiency a Boost
Some upgrades to your home can really pay off in the long run by increasing your system’s efficiency. Other additions are more modest, but can still make a big difference. Examples include:
- Installing a programmable or smart thermostat. With a thermostat that has the ability to be a little more strategic, you can save big. No more wasting heating and cooling power while you’re at the office or running errands. Your programmable thermostat can be set to kick into high gear, just as you’re on your way home.
- Adding fans to rooms, especially on the upper levels of your home. Hot air rises, so fans can push air back down to ground level to keep you warm during colder weather. On the flip side, a fan running in the opposite direction can lift warm air up and away during the hot season.
- Replacing worn-out weather-stripping, adding insulation and upgrading windows. Anything that you can do to prevent the air inside your home from escaping, or the air outside your home from sneaking in can help your thermostat be at its best and most effective.
Williams Energy Wants to Keep You Warm All Winter
Winters can get pretty brutal in our area, so when those bitterly cold days arrive, you want to know that your home heating system is up to the job. Whether you need guidance on your thermostat settings, heating and cooling repairs, or an upgraded system, we are here for you.
