Are you shivering under four blankets this winter trying to conserve energy by keeping house temperatures lower? Is there frost inside the windows in the morning because you are turning off the thermostat at night to save a few dollars? If some of those penny pinching habits sound like familiar, you may want to consider some other options.
One clear way to conserve energy and save money this winter is to invest in a programmable thermostat. Thermostats that dial you in to a specific temperature are definitely out, as far as money saving goes and are not very accurate at moderating indoor temperatures.
For the best results at saving money on your energy bill, ditch the dial up thermostat and install a programmable thermostat with multiple programs and auto adjusting temperatures for nights, weekends and special events.
By turning down your thermostat 5-10 degrees at night and back up in the morning, you can save up to 10 percent on your heating bill this winter. You can also save money by turning down the thermostat when you go away for the weekend or go out for the night. Whenever the internal temperature is lowered for a few days or more, you will save money on operational costs of large appliances like your refrigerator and freezer because they will not have to work so hard to maintain their cool.
One common misconception is that lowering the thermostat for a few hours will take more heat to bring the heat back up to the desired temperature when you return. That is not the case. You will save money and fuel by turning down your thermostat because your system will not have to keep your home constantly so warm. It will use less energy overall when you warm from a cooler temperature.
Greater savings and comfort are possible with a programmable thermostat with adjustable programs for multiple situations. Most every type of heating system will accommodate this type of thermostat.
So when it comes to saving money this winter, “just cool it” while you’re away. It will keep your furnace from being “full of hot air.”
