People are always looking for ways to lower their heating bills in the winter. The most obvious thing would be to go as long as possible without turning the heat on too high, but that isn't always an option. Many parts of the country have had a particularly harsh winter this year, and having a reliable furnace that can be turned on to fight the cold is practically a necessity.
So if turning down the thermostat isn't an option, how do you lower your heating bill during the winter? It turns out the best way to do that is to install a programmable thermostat in your home. You still have to know how to use one of these thermostats and make sure you aren't turning your heat up too high, but it's still the best first step you can take.
Heating Empty Spaces
The Energy Information Administration has reported that about 42 percent of home energy costs come from heating and cooling a home. That shouldn't come as a surprise considering how extreme the weather can get in some parts of the country, but much of this energy is wasted on mostly empty homes. Homes are rarely occupied all the time; people go to work, to school and on vacation regularly. Even when people are around, there will be rooms in their homes that aren't being used that are nevertheless being heated or cooled just like occupied spaces.
A programmable thermostat can go a long way towards preventing this kind of needless heating and cooling. Although some people think it costs more money to constantly adjust the temperature of their homes, turning a thermostat down will always result in lower energy usage. A thermostat that can be programmed to adjust itself based on your family's schedule will ensure that it is kept at a lower temperature when your home is empty and at a more comfortable temperature when everyone is home. You can still adjust the temperature manually or change the programming if you're going to be away from home for a longer period of time, but this is still a much better alternative than just keeping your home at a comfortable temperature whether people are around to enjoy it or not.
Taking Responsibility for Your Own Thermostat
It should be mentioned that merely installing a programmable thermostat won't automatically result in lower heating bills; you still need to take responsibility for your own furnace. A programmable thermostat does make it easier to keep your home at the ideal temperature, but you still need to figure out what that ideal temperature is and program it into your new thermostat. Ideally, your thermostat should be set at 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and awake; it should be turned down when you're asleep or away from home.
Overall, you can cut your energy bill by as much as 15 percent if you turn your thermostat down when it isn't needed. With the right thermostat, all you need to do is press a few buttons and never have to worry about your home's temperature until the spring.
If you’re looking for ways to keep your home comfortable all year long without the cost, contact the residential repair and maintenance technicians at Tudi! By signing up for Tudi’s home comfort plan, you can count on keeping your house a home all year long. Our priority service provides you with a comprehensive maintenance schedule to keep all of your home’s mechanical systems running efficiently, saving you up to 10% on your total utility costs. Don’t let your utility bills become a financial burden, contact Tudi today and find out how we can help you save!
