3 Things to Know About Setting Your Thermostat for Winter

Anyone who tries to get their home to just the right temperature in the wintertime knows that doing so can be a tricky undertaking. You want your thermostat set high enough to keep you warm and toasty, but you also want it low enough to maintain your comfort and prevent a sweatbox situation. Below, the heating and cooling professionals at NMS Mechanical in Prior Lake, MN, share three things to know about setting your thermostat for winter, and how to achieve the perfect balance in temperature.

3 Things to Know About Setting Your Thermostat for Winter

1. Set Daytime Temperatures Between 68 and 70°

During the daylight hours of the winter, most people like to have interior spaces a bit warmer than at other times of the day. While the size of your home and the type of heating and cooling equipment you own will have some impact on the final numbers, a good general rule of thumb is to keep it between 68 and 70°. This way, it’s noticeably warmer than outdoor temps yet not hot enough to be sweltering.

2. Turn the Thermostat Down 7 to 10 Degrees at Night or When You’re Not at Home

At night, most of us are warm in our beds, so there’s really no need to keep your thermostat at 70°. Also, a higher temperature setting causes your home to lose more energy; turning it down at night or when you’re not at home is both more energy-efficient and cost-effective. A seven- to 10-degree lowering of your daytime temp setting is a comfortable level for most people.

3. Take Advantage of Your Thermostat’s Programming Capabilities

Many thermostats on the market today are programmable. This provides an easy way to maintain consistent temperatures at different times of the day. You can typically program your thermostat for a seven-day cycle, or you can set it for a five-day/two-day cycle if you want different temps on the weekend. Check with your thermostat manufacturer or HVAC installation provider for more information on how to program your particular unit.

Let the heating and cooling specialists at NMS Mechanical help you stay warm this winter. They perform furnace repair and installation for clientele throughout the South Metro region of the Twin Cities. Call (952) 451-8923, visit them online, or send them a message on Facebook  to find the right heating solutions for your home.