What’s the best thermostat setting to stay warm and save money this fall and winter?
The weather is cooling down and soon many will be turning up the heat in their homes to stay warm through fall and winter.
According to the National Weather Service, temperatures across North Carolina are in the 70s and 60s during the day, but are dipping down to the 40s and 50s at night. As we head further into fall and the winter seasons, it’ll get even colder.
Hiking up your heat can also hike up your energy bill, but there are a few ways you can cut down on the cost while staying warm during the colder months.
According to Duke Energy, the best setting to stay warm and cut costs will be the lowest temperature at which those in your home are comfortable. Most people are comfortable at a setting of 68-70 degrees. When you are not at home, turning your thermostat back also helps save money.
“You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting,” the U.S. Department of Energy says. “The percentage of savings from setback is greater for buildings in milder climates than for those in more severe climates. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.”
Here are some other energy saving tips from the U.S. Department of Energy to staying warm while cutting costs during the fall and winter seasons:
Allow natural sunlight to come in during the day to keep your home warm
Cover drafty windows
Seal any air leaks around your home
Reduce heat loss from a fireplace
This story was originally published October 13, 2023 at 6:10 AM with the headline "What’s the best thermostat setting to stay warm and save money this fall and winter?."
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