Written on: February 21, 2022
Winter has already put on quite a show for the Hudson Valley. Amidst all that cold and snow, you want to make sure that you and your family will be comfortable. Often comfort comes at a cost. How do you find the balance between comfort and heating costs you can live with?
One of the best tools for saving money on your energy bills is a programmable thermostat. According to the US Department of Energy, adjusting your thermostat during the hours everyone is asleep or out of the home can noticeably lower your bills. In fact, a difference of 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours each day could add up to a 10% reduction in your heating and cooling costs.
A programmable thermostat can help you save money and energy. But what is the best setting? The US Department of Energy recommends the following for the winter months:
If your family has a fairly regular schedule, you can set it and forget it. Program your heat to shut off 20 to 30 minutes before you leave the house every day and to turn back on 20 to 30 minutes before the first person returns home. Do a similar thing at night. Lower the temperature about one hour before everyone goes to sleep. Raise the temperature about 30 minutes before the first person wakes up. These settings should allow everyone in your home to remain comfortable while you cut down on your heating costs.
Be intentional about where you put your thermostat. Read the manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully. You’ll want to install your thermostat on an interior wall that doesn’t receive direct sunlight and that is as far away as possible from doorways, windows, skylights, and drafts. Also, don’t put any furniture in front of or under your thermostat.
Now that you know how to get the most out of your thermostat, make sure you get the best in fuel delivery as well as boiler and furnace installation, maintenance, and repairs. Downey Energy has been serving residential and commercial clients in the Hudson Valley for more than a century. We are dedicated to service and reliability.
Downey Energy operates in Dutchess County, Orange County, Putnam County, and northern Westchester County, New York. Click here to view our service area.
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