What Should You Set Your Thermostat to in Winter?
Here in the Windy City, temperatures can drop quickly. As such, reliable heat in your home is a necessity to keep your indoor environment warm and cozy during the harsh winter weather. However, finding the ideal thermostat setting for the season isn’t just about comfort—it’s also about saving energy and keeping your heating system running efficiently.
In this blog post, the comfort specialists at American Vintage Home discuss the best thermostat settings for winter days, nights, and when you’re away, along with how these settings can impact your energy savings this season.
Ideal Thermostat Setting for Winter Days in Chicago
Winters in Chicago are often brutally cold and blustery, with average highs of just 35ºF. Keeping warm while optimizing energy efficiency can be a tricky task that requires careful consideration of your thermostat settings during the daytime.
For Chicago homes, it’s recommended to keep your thermostat set to at least 68ºF during the day while you’re at home. This temperature strikes a good balance between comfort and efficiency, especially if you dress warmly and use blankets to supplement your home’s heating system.
What Should You Set Your Thermostat at Night?
At night, Chicago can get even colder, with average lows dipping to around 25ºF. Even with these colder temperatures, it’s still recommended to set your thermostat to a lower setting than during daytime hours to preserve energy efficiency and comfort.
Lowering your thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees at night (not lower than 60ºF) is a smart move. This cooler setting not only conserves energy but also creates an ideal sleeping environment for your health. Adding extra layers, such as a comforter or flannel sheets, can keep you warm without overworking your furnace.
Thermostat Settings for When You’re Away
If you’re going to be away from home for the day or an extended period, lowering your thermostat can help you save on energy bills while preventing your pipes from freezing. Consider setting your thermostat to around 55 to 60ºF while you’re away, as this temperature is low enough to cut down on energy costs but warm enough to keep your home’s essential systems safe from extreme cold.
How Thermostat Settings Impact Energy Savings
Every degree you lower your thermostat can reduce your energy bills by up to 1% over an eight-hour period. By sticking to recommended settings, you can see significant savings on your winter heating costs. Additionally, using a programmable or smart thermostat makes it easier to maintain these energy-efficient settings.
Choose American Vintage Home for Expert HVAC Services
Setting your thermostat to the correct temperature during the winter is a great first step to staying comfortable and energy-efficient on the coldest days of the year; however, regular HVAC maintenance is just as important. American Vintage Home offers expert HVAC services, specializing in vintage systems like radiators and boilers, which are common in the North Shore area. From expert repairs and installations to continued maintenance, we ensure your heating system is up to the task of surviving a Chicago winter.
Schedule heating services in Chicago by contacting American Vintage Home today.
