Determining the best temperature for your house isnt a one-size-fits-all task.
Instead, it should be based on a variety of factors.
Heres how to make the most of your thermostat, wherever you live.
Credit:Getty Images / Grace Cary
If you have a programmable thermostat, set the temperature lower to a comfortable level before heading home.
This way, you’re able to balance your comfort with cost savings.
Winter Thermostat controls:In winter, a temperature of 68F is typically comfortable enough for when youre home.
These prefs can vary based on personal preference and the climate in your region, says Roberson.
However, optimizing your thermostat options according to your daily schedule and comfort needs can lead to energy savings.
Best Thermostat tweaks for Daytime vs.
Nighttime
Maximizing your sleep is just as important (or perhaps more so) as maximizing your AC prefs.
The ideal temperature needs to fluctuate based on the season and outdoor temperature.
While adjustments are necessary, they vary by season.
Summer Travel
Set your thermostat to a temperature of around 82F when youre traveling during the summer.
Winter Travel
A consideration during the winter is maintaining enough warmth tokeep your pipes from freezing.
Around 55F-60F is a reasonable range, says Roberson.
This allows your heating system to run less frequently while protecting your home from extreme cold.
These recommendations aim to balance energy savings with preventing extreme indoor temperature fluctuations, says Roberson.
You also want to check that your home isoutfitted with adequate insulation.
Regular HVAC maintenanceis crucial for efficiency in [all] seasons.
This means you’ll want to dress a little differently around the house to remain comfortable.
So before you head to the thermostat to raise the furnace temperature, put on a sweater.
