Balancing Comfort and Cost: The Ideal Thermostat Settings for Your Home

The thermostat is a touchy point for roommates and family members everywhere. We’ve all bumped the temperature down a little to save on costs, only to find that someone we live with cranks it back up so that they can be warm.

Those are also the people who crack a window because they like the feel of the cold air, but that’s neither here nor there. 

If you’re looking to figure out your thermostat settings once and for all, you should try to find a balance. What’s the optimal temperature and setting that will keep everyone comfortable and hold costs to a minimum?

Optimizing Your Thermostat Settings

We’ll start by giving the general suggested temperatures for the two most problematic seasons for the thermostat: summer and winter.

The Right Temperature for Summer

In the summertime, we often want to crank the cooling system up and bask in the cold air. That can get costly, though, and you might not need to blast air conditioning to be at a comfortable temperature. 

You can always open windows and use fans to bring the temperature down. That said, keeping your temperature at 78 degrees is ideal for most people. This is a temperature that most people are comfortable in, and it doesn’t raise cooling costs too much. 

Keep your thermostat around 78 degrees while you’re home, and raise it to the temperature outside while you’re away. This may be a little uncomfortable as you first get back home, but there’s no sense in wasting money on cooling your home while you aren’t there.

The Right Temperature for Winter

Anywhere from 70 to 80 degrees should be comfortable for those in your home during the winter. The real trouble comes when you aren’t home and while you’re sleeping. 

When you’re away, it’s suggested that you keep your thermostat right around 68 degrees. This is a temp that isn’t too cold to come home to and doesn’t require your system to do much work while you’re away. 

The home retains a good amount of heat by itself, and 68 degrees is generally on par with the home’s temperature unless you have drafts or other issues. If you do have drafts, there are a number of ways to fix them and cut on heating costs. 

You could be losing a significant amount of money to even a slight opening between your doors and windows. 

Dealing With Roommates

If you’re having trouble with the passive-aggressive thermostat battles, there is really only one solution. Talk to the person you’re living with.

You both have equal claim to the thermostat because you split the bill (in most cases). If you don’t split the bill, there should still be a level of civility in the household. Sit down with the other person, talk about your preferences, and come to an agreement on how to set the thermostat.

Checked Your HVAC System Recently?

Dealing with thermostat settings is one thing, but dealing with an old HVAC system is another. Your system might be just fine if it’s old, but it’s essential that you have it cleaned and repaired when needed. 

You could be facing illnesses as a result of bacteria in your vents. Visit our site to learn more about the importance of a clean HVAC system.