HOW DO I ADJUST MY THERMOSTAT FOR COLD WEATHER COMFORT AND STILL LOWER MY MONTHLY HEATING COST?
Answer by: Richard Beard, Utah State University Extension Agricultural Systems Technology & Education Specialist

Monthly heating bills are directly related to furnace operation, and adjusting the thermostat for a lower temperature can reduce your monthly heating bill. Energy efficient heating can be obtained by setting the thermostat at 68 degrees F when you are home and awake and at 58 degrees F when you are away or asleep. Although this solution sounds simple, the required adjustments and low temperatures present problems. Someone must diligently adjust the thermostat to realize cost savings and you will regularly arrive home and wake up to a cold house (will talk about programmable thermostats in a minute). Also, depending on the age and activity level of those in your home, 68 degrees F may be uncomfortable.

Here is how thermostat adjustment influences energy use. Setting your maximum thermostat setting 5 degrees lower, from 70 degrees F to 65 degrees F for example, can reduce energy use by 10 percent. Lowering your thermostat 10 degrees for 8 hours each night during the time you are in bed can save an additional 5 to10 percent. For families that are away from home during the day, lowering the thermostat setting for an additional 6 to 8 hours each day will further reduce energy consumption.

Some people mistakenly believe that the energy savings from lowering the thermostat for a few hours are offset by the expense involved in reheating the house. Tests show that lowering your thermostat setting daily for intervals of four or more hours will reduce costs.

Many people have programmable thermostats that use time and temperature settings to automatically control temperature. Families with similar waking and bedtime schedules and regular home arrival and departure times are especially satisfied with the convenience and comfort offered by this technology. A programmable thermostat offers the convenience of automatic temperature control, with the ability to suspend the program and manually control the temperature. If you do not have a programmable thermostat, consider installing one because it can reduce energy use for both heating and cooling activities.

In addition to reduced energy consumption, modern programmable thermostats can relieve the discomfort of coming home to or waking up to a cold house. Models are available with digital displays powered by batteries and can be programmed with ease. Weekday and weekend schedules may be set and furnace operation may be manually controlled to accommodate variations in your schedule. Programmable thermostats that sense occupancy or light are also available and will control temperature based on the presence or absence of people. Many do-it-yourselfers can replace a manually controlled thermostat with a programmable model. Prices range from $30 to $100 (and higher) and care should be taken to select the correct brand for your furnace and wiring. You may want to hire an electrician or heating equipment dealer to replace your thermostat. Personal injury and equipment damage can occur if the wrong thermostat is installed.

Generally the higher priced models are more precise, more durable and more easily programmed. If you decide to do the installation, but want to know how it is programmed, visit a dealer that sells programmable thermostats and have them demonstrate the procedure. This equipment can be programmed in much the same manner as the timers for automatic sprinkler and programming difficulty varies with equipment brands.

An automatic thermostat can be programmed to raise the house temperature before you wake up in the morning and lower the house temperature when go to work or school. Select a model that is easily programmed and has the directions on the unit rather than on an instruction sheet. Make sure it is battery powered or has backup battery power so that the stored program is not disrupted by power outages. Discourage family members from overriding the program to increase the temperature setting.

In addition to thermostat adjustment, here are a few other suggestions to reduce monthly heating bills. Regularly clean and/or replace your heater’s filter and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for schedule of service. Try not to use a space heater because it is an inefficient use of heating energy and expensive to operate. If possible, close the doors and heating vents to unused areas of the house. Use the sunshine to heat your home by opening the window curtains during the daylight hours and closing them at night. Keep outside doors closed and reduce the traffic going inside and outside. If you are involved in activities that are stationary, try wearing more clothing and/or using a blanket or comforter in your lap.

__ Direct column topic questions to: Donna Falkenborg, Utah State University Extension, 4900 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-4900. Phone 435-797-1363; fax: 435-797-7873; email: donnaf@ext.usu.edu. ###