There are lots of myths you might hear when seeking advice on how to save money on energy bills. Adjusting your thermostat is one of those pieces of information you’ll come across time and time again, so let’s see how true it is.
Does Adjusting the Thermostat Save Money on Energy Bills?
Some people may be surprised to hear this, but yes, lowering the temperature of your thermostat can save you money on energy. It takes more energy to produce heat, so the higher your thermostat is, the higher your bill is going to be. Similarly, it takes more energy to cool things down during the hotter seasons, so the higher your thermostat is during summer, the lower your energy bills will be.
How Much Lower or Higher Does the Thermostat Need to Be to Save Money?
The US Department of Energy recommends that you set your thermostat 7 to 10° lower if you’re trying to heat your house and 7 to 10° higher when you’re trying to cool it down. Ideally, you’ll keep your house at this adjusted temperature for eight hours per day. For most people, this is doable. You can simply change the temperature while you’re at work.
It’s even better if you have a thermostat you can adjust from your phone, because you can change the temperature back to a more comfortable level a couple of minutes before you leave work. Thermostats you can apply custom settings to also work well for this, as you can set it to reach particular temperatures at certain times of the day. Doing this, you won’t return to a house that’s too hot or cold for your liking.
How Big Are the Savings After Adjusting the Thermostat?
The average household could save up to 10% on their energy bill by adjusting the thermostat 7 to 10° higher or lower depending on the time of year. It may not sound like much, but it can make a substantial difference. In 2021, the average household in the United States spent $1,464 on energy. When applying these temperature changes and saving 10%, that cost goes down to $1,317.60.
The difference is over $140, which is more than the average household spends on electricity in a month. If you can turn the thermostat down even more or for longer, then the savings can be even more substantial. Getting a heavy comforter and lowering the thermostat’s temperature a little at night, for example, could be beneficial and create more savings.
Does This Tactic Work Everywhere?
This tactic suits areas with milder climates best. For example, in somewhere like Alaska, it would be almost impossible to adequately heat the house in time for you to get home to a comfortable temperature if you left the thermostat lower throughout your workday. Places like Texas, though, have milder winters, so you’ll be able to apply this tactic more comfortably.
For more HVAC advice and services, check out Chapman Air & Heat, or call us at 214-340-4999.
