As fall comes to an end and a chillier cold front begins to take its place for the next couple of months, you may be wondering, “What temperature should I keep my thermostat at?” As midwesterners, we experience all four seasons from super high temperatures, to incredibly low wind chills. It’s important to set your thermostat accordingly, so you don’t rack up costs on your energy bills.
Before deciding exactly what temperature to keep your home at this winter, there are a few factors to consider. After all, every home and family is different! Here are our recommendations and tips to help you determine what temperature you should keep your home.
Common Baseline Temperatures
A common temperature to keep your home at during the winter is 68 degrees Fahrenheit. However, you can also keep it between 70 and 78 degrees, depending on your home type and what you’re personally comfortable with. There are many pros and cons to each temperature. For example, you may feel a bit chillier at 68 degrees, but wearing layers and keeping blankets on hand will help save you more money. Or, keeping it at 73 degrees might just give you the warm cozy feeling you need to come home to after a long day at work.
Beyond your personal preferences, there are a few other factors to consider when choosing the right temperature for your home this winter.
The Size & Location of Your Home
How big your home is, and where it’s located, can make a big difference when deciding what temperature to keep during the winter. While “home” is often used when describing houses, homes can also be apartments, condos, and townhomes. If you live in either of these three buildings, consider how close you are to your neighbors.
Heat rises, so if you live on a top floor (or spend most of your time on the top floor of your home), then you may be able to get away with bumping your thermostat down a couple of degrees more than someone who lives in a more expansive, flat floor plan. If you live in a house with lots of space around it, such as a rural or semi-rural area, then chances are you may need to keep your home a couple of degrees warmer during the winter. Without other homes or trees to block the wind, your home is more likely to be susceptible to chilly drafts.
Day vs. Night: Program Your Thermostat
To save more money this winter, program your thermostat to run at different temperatures throughout the day. If all or most of your household is gone during the day, you can set the temp lower and then set it to go up around the time you get home. Similarly, at night, when you and your family are sleeping, you can set the thermostat lower since everyone will be in bed. This is especially helpful if you sleep on the top floor of your home, letting all of that residual heat from previously running the furnace rise when you get ready for bed.
Programming your thermostat is a great way to save money on your energy bills while keeping yourself and your entire household comfortable.
Consider Using a Humidifier
The ideal range of humidity for a home is 30%-45%, including during the winter. Indoor air can be drier in the winter, so having this baseline humidity can help bring you more moisture that makes your home feel warmer. Humidifiers are a great tool to help your air feel less dry, and they prevent static that often comes along with dry air.
Household Needs & Preferences
While it may be tempting to choose a temperature that works best for you and your wallet this winter, it’s equally important to consider the members of your household. Specifically, children, the elderly, pets, and those with health conditions. These groups can be more sensitive to colder temperatures. Be sure to have a conversation with them and discuss what they need to feel comfortable. This may require some trial and error to find the perfect balance, but the safety and well-being of your family are more important than the potential money you could be saving on energy bills.
Get the Expert HVAC & Furnace Advice You Need From Wyckoff
For all of your HVAC or furnace needs, the Wyckoff team is here to help. We’ve worked across the Des Moines metro area and beyond to provide Iowa residents with exceptional service and advice. If you’re unsure about what temperature to keep your home at this winter, or if you are having trouble with your furnace or thermostat, give us a call! We’re more than happy to meet with you and discuss all of your options.