Setting Your Thermostat for Comfort and Efficiency
The temperature you set your thermostat at is mostly personal preference, and can change depending on several factors, including the temperature outside, whether you are sick, and even who is home. However, is there a temperature that is generally ideal? As much as an ideal temperature is subjective, and may even cause dispute in your house, there are a few ways to determine where that thermostat should be set.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats can make managing your home's temperature easier and more convenient. They allow you to control your home’s heating and cooling remotely through your smartphone, computer or tablet. Some smart thermostats may also provide information about your home’s energy use, allowing you to track and manage your consumption.
A smart thermostat also makes scheduling easier, allowing you to program temperature changes around your daily routine, rather than having to remember to adjust the thermostat throughout the day. A general rule of thumb is around 20-22°C when home throughout the day and evening, and around 17°C for sleeping or when no one is home.
From this point, several factors will come into play, including:
Where in your house will you be?
If you are lounging on the main floor, sleeping in the basement, or doing chores on the second floor, all those baseline temperatures will change. Because heat rises, you may be far too hot scrubbing toilets on an upper level of the house if the thermostat was set to 20°C. On the other hand, if you set it to 17°C but are sleeping in the basement, that might be far too chilly.
Consider where people are in the house at different times of the day and program your thermostat accordingly. You can also consider blocking drafts, adding blankets, and placing portable heaters and fans in areas where temperature extremes are an issue.
What season is it?
People tend to keep their homes warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. If it is wintertime and you use your basement, you might want to set the thermostat at the higher end of your comfortable range. If it is summer, you probably want it on the lower range.
You will also want to consider holiday seasons. As we head into fall and winter, the more people you entertain and the more activity there is going on in your home (especially in the kitchen), the cooler you will want to keep your house.
A smart thermostat can also be useful as the seasons and your routines change. You can program different temperatures for when you are home, sleeping, or away, and adjust the settings remotely if your plans change.
How old are the occupants?
Another thing to consider when deciding what to set your thermostat at is the age of the occupants of your home. If you have elderly, disabled or very young people living with you, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends not lowering your thermostat below 20°C. If you are a healthy adult, you may need to defer to the needs of the elderly or very young, or those who have disabilities.
While there may not be an ideal temperature that everyone loves, your thermostat setting should ultimately reflect the needs of the people living in your home, the season, the activities taking place, and whether anyone is home.
By understanding your home's unique needs and making thoughtful adjustments, you can stay comfortable while using energy wisely. If you’d like to find out more about how to keep your home warm (or cool), while also saving money this fall, please contact the Action team!