Recommended Thermostat Settings for Energy Savings

Summer

• One of the keys to savings is to be able to stand the house just a little bit warmer than you’re used to in the summer, while making it a little bit cooler than normal in the winter. In summer, the ideal temperature is to shoot for 78 degrees, both when you’re at home, as well as when you’re sleeping. When you’re leaving the house, set the temperature to 85 degrees. According to Madison Gas and Electric, if 10 percent of homes could lower their air-conditioner usage by 10 percent, then more than 2,000 extra homes could receive AC for free.

Winter

• Winter subjects people to cold temperatures, creating an inverse problem. As endothermic mammals, humans naturally regulate their body temperature; therefore, anything external is a luxury. The ideal setting during the winter is 68 degrees, which can subsequently be lowered to 55 degrees when you leave the home.

Programmable

• Few people have the patience, drive, and not to mention, memory, to consistently alter the temperature of the thermostat. If homeowners are truly serious about their savings, they can purchase a programmable thermostat, which will allow them to set times and temperatures. This can be especially useful for very busy households.

Savings and Stats

• The closer a household gets to these ideal settings – or to not using a thermostat at all – will mean more money in your pocket. A small setback of 5 degrees per day over the course of eight hours will reduce your energy consumption by 5 percent. Do it over the course of 24 hours per day and your energy usage will lower by 15 percent. If homeowners follow these basic setting principles throughout the year, the average savings is $180, according to EnergyStar.gov.