Here's the secret: Set the temperature of your home at least eight degrees lower for the eight hours or so that you sleep at night. Every degree you lower the thermostat can net you an estimated 1% off your heating bill. So, eight degrees for eight hours a day can save you up to $180 every year.
While some homeowners have considered turning off their heat at night in an attempt to lower their heating bills, it generally is not recommended as a viable option. The fact is, turning your heat off at night creates more potential risk for your home and your family than it does savings on your energy bill.
Let's bust a myth; according to the Energy Saving Trust, it's not cheaper to leave your heating on low all day. In fact, turning on your heating only when you need it on actually saves energy, and therefore saves money, too.
Turning back the thermostat during the day by 10° or more can result in energy savings of 10% or more, depending on your environment. It's the greatest in milder climates where less energy is required to reach the comfortable temperature once the heat is turned on again.
If you leave your heating on low all day, it means that the system will have to work to maintain the temperature at a certain level. Your home will be using energy the entire day, making it more expensive. It is more costly than setting the heating to come on at set times.
So, depending on the layout of your house and the type of heating system you have, leaving your heat on all day can significantly increase your energy bills. Turning off your heater, even just for a few hours a day, can help you save between 5%-15% on energy costs over the year.
Turn Heat Down FAQ
Yes, homeowners can save money on their energy and heating bills by turning the thermostat down. You can save almost 15 percent of your total heating bill by lowering your heat by seven degrees overnight (or for any other eight hour period).
According to doctors, falling asleep with the heating on can result in a restless night's sleep as our bodies can overheat much more quickly. As well as not being able to sleep soundly, it may also be causing our skin to appear dry, red and itchy the following morning.
Energy.gov suggests that 68 degrees is a good room temperature while you're awake at home but recommends lowering it while you're asleep or away. Lowering your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day can reduce your annual heating expenses by as much as 10 percent.
A gas-fired central-heating system is often the cheaper option in terms of running costs; electrical heating costs considerably more per unit of energy.
Sleep scientists suggest that for optimal sleeping conditions, room temperature should be between 60 and 67°F. That figure is considerably lower than the daytime recommendation, furthering your heating bill savings while also reaping improved sleep. It's a true win-win.
14-15° - If your home is this cold, you may be diminishing your resistance to respiratory diseases. 18° is the recommended night time bedroom temperature. 19-21° is the recommended daytime temperature range for occupied rooms.
This may vary by a few degrees from person to person, but most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat set between 60 to 67 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 19.4 degrees Celsius) for the most comfortable sleep.
Heat constantly escapes your home when it's cold outdoors, which is why it makes sense to lower the thermostat when you're not there. But turning off the furnace in the winter—especially when you're away for long periods of time—runs the risk of frozen pipes that could easily burst when they thaw.
Keeping your home at a constant temperature generally means that your HVAC system will run constantly to meet it. This means that your furnace or air conditioner may run when you're asleep, at work, or out of the house. This wastes more energy than the minimal amount that you might save by having it constantly run.
The Savings
Simply lowering your heat 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours a day could save you anywhere from 5 to 15 percent of your energy costs each year, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, or about 1 percent for each degree you turn back the thermostat.
Even though they are typically small in size, and often touted as 100% efficient, electric space heaters use a lot of electricity. Most space heaters use on average 1,500 Watts of electricity and cost about 15¢ an hour to operate.
In fact, sleep specialists are saying that, when it's possible, you are likely better off sleeping with the furnace turned off…or at least turned down a few degrees. According to doctors having the heat turned on can cause our bodies to overheat resulting in a restless night's sleep.
Heating one room, particularly if you have electric radiators can offer you a great reduction on your energy bills. Kitchens are potentially rooms that do not need heating, after all you are moving around when your are in there, getting food ready or making a drink.
CHOICE experts have found that reverse-cycle air conditioning is by far the cheapest way to keep your home warm. But it does come with a large upfront cost. Here is a rundown of the most common types of heating, from cheapest to most expensive.
As a general rule, heating your home with a natural gas furnace is the cheapest way to keep warm through the winter months. Electricity is usually significantly more expensive than gas, so even the most efficient heaters will be a bigger drain on your pocketbook than a traditional furnace.