As winter draws near and the temperature falls, finding ways to save money on your power bills becomes a top priority. One of the simplest ways is adjusting your thermostat settings to optimize energy usage without losing comfort.

With many options and techniques available, it's possible to decrease your heating costs while still keeping 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 perfect balance between warmth and savings.

As a whole, a good rule is the lower the temperature inside 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 your monthly energy costs.

Best Thermostat Settings While You Are at Home

When you’re around your 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 comfy, but also low enough to be energy efficient.

Effective Temperature Settings While You Are Away

The DOE reports you can save approximately 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 prolonged period of time, you can put your thermostat as low as 50 degrees. That will keep your furnace running so you don’t have any frozen or burst pipes while you are away.

When you get back to your house, increase the temperature bit by bit. That will keep your heating system from performing too hard, which could be the case if you raise the temperature on your thermostat quite high right away.

Recommended Thermostat Settings While You Are in Bed for The Night

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

Additional Methods to Use Less Energy on Your HVAC in Winter

There are many other techniques you can employ so you consume less energy this winter while you heat your home. They include:

Check your insulation levels

Insulate doors, windows and walls to minimize drafts, keep warm air inside and counter heat loss. This will limit the pressure on your heating equipment and save energy.

Buy a programmable thermostat

Put in a programmable thermostat to manage the temperature in your home conveniently. Set lower temperatures when you're out of your home or asleep and increase them only when needed.

For even more savings, install a smart thermostat that can perceive when you are in or out and change the temperature appropriately. To learn more about these products or for smart thermostat installation in Weatherford, get a hold of the skilled technicians at Parker County Cooling & Heating. We can provide you with information about how smart thermostats can improve your home's comfort—and your pocketbook.

H3: Arrange furnace maintenance:

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

For furnace maintenance in Weatherford, call the team at Parker County Cooling & Heating. Our specialists will get your system in top shape!

Seal air leaks

Locate and fill in any air leaks in your home. Typical places for leaks are windows, doors, attic hatches and ductwork. Closing these gaps blocks warm air from escaping, making your HVAC system work less to maintain a sufficient temperature.

Upgrade 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 smart long-term decision. Today’s furnaces are extremely efficient, which can dramatically lower your monthly bills compared to an old or inefficient model.

If you’re interested in getting a new heating system, call the professionals at Parker County Cooling & Heating. We’re known for skilled furnace installation in Weatherford and will help you select a unit that’s perfect for your home! Call 817-380-5213 today to schedule a no-cost, no-obligation estimate!