What Temperature Should You Set the Thermostat to While Traveling?
November 15, 2017
Too Hot, Too Cold, Or Just Right: The Ideal Thermostat Setting
It’s not uncommon for families to travel away from home during the holidays. And if you care about cost savings, you know not to leave your heating system on full force while you’re away. So what’s the best temperature to leave your thermostat set to?
The Best Thermostat Setting
By lowering your temperature 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit for at least eight hours daily during cold weather, you can save up to 15% a year on your heating bill. Energy.gov recommends the following settings:
- 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re home
- 55 degrees Fahrenheit or lower when you’re not home or sleeping
Invest in a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on pre-programmed schedule and settings that you choose. Programmable thermostats can store multiple daily settings (often six or more) that you can manually override.
Want remote control access? Upgrade to a Wi-Fi programmable thermostat to monitor and adjust settings from any mobile device, even miles away!
Talk to your One Hour Air technician about modernizing your home’s thermostat. We install programmable and Wi-Fi models. We’ll even assess your current thermostat for compatibility issues if your HVAC system is struggling to regulate your home’s temperature.
Don’t Shut Down
It might be tempting to shut down your whole system while you’re away. But the truth is, your heat pump or furnace has to work extra hard to get things up and running again. Stick to 55 degrees when you’re gone to avoid extra strain on your appliances.
Expect the Unexpected
The last thing you want to worry about on vacation is a winter emergency! Talk to a neighbor or family member about checking in on your home if you plan to travel for an extended period of time. In the event of a broken furnace, empty oil tank, or other fiasco, ask them to call One Hour Air Conditioning for 24/7 emergency service.
Invest in a Protection Plan
For ultimate peace of mind, invest in a One Hour Air protection plan. For less than $19.00 per month, these plans cover annual system check-ups, 24/7 emergency service, discounted repair, and more! Leave your worries at the door, knowing that no matter where you travel to, your heating system is covered.