It’s the age-old argument this time of year – whether at home or at work, someone is always too cold or too hot. But is there a “right” answer? In truth, thermostat settings are subjective based on temperature preference, but there are several ways you can keep your family warm and still keep your energy bills in check.

Set Your Thermostat To 68 Degrees

This temperature is often a good comprise. As an added bonus, for every degree you lower your heat in the 60-degree to 70-degree range, you’ll save up to five percent on heating costs.

Utilize Your Programmable Thermostat

Adjust your home temperature when you’re asleep or away from home. Dropping the temperature another 10 degrees for eight hours can save up to 15 percent annually. Be sure to consider schedules of everyone in the household. Please note, heat pumps should only be set back two degrees to prevent unnecessary use of backup strip heating.

Wear Warm Clothing

Adding layers enables you to stay comfortable at cooler temperatures.

Practice Responsible Use Of Energy

Seal up leaks to keep warm air in, reduce hot water temperature, upgrade to Energy Star HVAC equipment and invest in high-efficiency windows. Each of these factor into the warmth of your home, and can go a long way in reducing energy usage.

Always Ensure Your Furnace Filter Is Clean

Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy use by five percent. Take two minutes to check your filter today.