Comments on: Use a Programmable Thermostat to Save Money

By: Washington

Washington — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:20:06 +0000

Q. What is the most efficient thermostat setting for heating?

A. The best setting is the lowest temperature at which you are comfortable. Most people can be comfortable at a setting of 68 – 70 o – each degree higher than that can increase your heating costs by 1-2%.

Q. Is it a good idea to close or seal off the heating registers in unused rooms?

A. Closing or sealing a small number of heating registers may cut your heating bills some, but with central forced air systems, closing off more than one-third of your registers can create pressure imbalances and make the blower fan work harder, potentially shortening equipment life.

Q. I’ve heard that setting back my heat can actually cost me more when I turn the thermostat back up – is this true?

A. With most heating systems, you will save by turning the thermostat back for four hours or more. If you have a heat pump, you should either set the thermostat at a comfortable temperature and leave it, or purchase a programmable thermostat specifically designed for a heat pump.

By: Oregon Coast

Oregon Coast — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 16:35:06 +0000

65 when home awake. 50 at night. No warm up in the mornings. 45 when gone. Space heater in the bathroom as needed. But as I primarily use a very efficient woodstove (2 cords a year) the heat is not on much. Highest winter electric bill has been $44. Summer bill (no a/c needed) drops to $28. Sweatshirts and flannel shirts! Yes!

By: Patrick

Patrick — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:49:37 +0000

Wow! 55 degrees at all times is a little cool for my tastes. I can bundle up to stay warm, but I do a lot of typing, and I am sure my hands would get stiff and cold.

By: MJS

MJS — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 04:35:14 +0000

55 24/7

By: calgirlfinance

calgirlfinance — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 05:45:59 +0000

We keep ours at 62 degrees when we’re home. If I’m working from home, I’ll often use the space heater to keep my area warmer. When I at a hotel with a programmable thermostat that tells you how hot you’re setting it at, I like to set it at 72 degrees.

By: Erin

Erin — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 03:14:47 +0000

75 degrees?! Wow-that is pretty warm. I keep ours at 71 at the most; any warmer and I feel like I’m in a sauna.
I turn it down to 64 at night downstairs and usually 70 at night upstairs. During the day anywhere from 69-70 in the entire house since I’m home most of the day with the youngest.

By: Tam

Tam — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:41:38 +0000

I heat with oil, live in northern Maine and keep it at 60 most of the time – when it’s really windy and the wind chill factor is well below 0, I might put it up to 65 long enough for the furnace to come on then it goes back down. I grew up during the Nixon era and the energy crisis so I’m used to it.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:38:33 +0000

Becky, I agree 100%. I think he may have been using this as an excuse because he probably realized what he was doing as soon as I asked him. He may have not even thought about it before. He told me he went out and bought a programmable thermostat, so I am interested to here about his bill next month!

By: Becky

Becky — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 19:30:28 +0000

I’ll have to agree with some others – animals have fur! We have our thermostat at 69 when we’re home and 63 during the day and overnight. Our cats’ fur gets a little thicker in the winter, so they adapt very well!

By: Justin Hensley

Justin Hensley — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:04:57 +0000

I’m a bit extreme, but I leave the heat off entirely. If it gets below 60 in the house, I may turn it on. But for the most part I don’t use it at all.

I live in a ~1000 sq. ft condo and my electric bill is usually about 50-60 dollars.