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When the temperature cools, it’s time to begin your autumn preparations. Vibrant leaves, shorter days, and holiday arrangements signal this special season’s arrival. You probably keep busy with outdoor decorations and seasonal gatherings with loved ones. However, forgetting one small thing amid your fall errands could cost you hundreds of dollars.
Remembering what to set your heat to in the fall makes a world of difference. When you change your thermostat settings to reflect the shifting seasons, you put cost effectiveness and energy efficiency at the forefront of your life. As Marlborough’s heating and cooling experts, we’re providing all you need to know about thermostat settings for autumn.
Ideal Indoor Temperatures
As a Connecticut resident, you begin battling dipping temperatures in the fall. Even small tweaks to your indoor temperature make a dramatic difference in your electricity or gas bills. You need to balance your family’s comfort with wallet-friendly habits.
During the hours that you occupy your house, keep your thermostat set as close to 68 degrees as possible. Whether tackling a chore list or cooking, most people move around more at home during daylight hours. You also wear more layers of clothes while going about your daily tasks. Keep your home at 68 degrees when occupied to maintain comfort and lower energy costs.
During unoccupied hours at home, an even lower temperature will suit your needs. When everyone leaves for work or school, you can dial down your thermostat. If you have no pets or houseplants to accommodate, set your thermostat at 60 degrees. If you have animals or plants in your home, find a range between 64 and 68 degrees that keeps them healthy and comfortable.
This also applies when your family settles into bed for the night. You can pile on blankets to stay warm. Plus, cooler temperatures at night benefit your circadian rhythm. Keep the temperature between 60 and 65 degrees when possible. This temperature range further decreases your power expenses.
Types of Thermostats
Your indoor temperature range depends on what your thermostat settings accommodate. Most thermostats fall into two categories: programmable and non-programmable. Programmable thermostats usually have various settings that you personalize. Non-programmable thermostats require manual setting changes.
If you have a programmable thermostat, you have various setting options. Some programmable thermostats accommodate a week’s worth of settings. Others allow a variety of settings for each day. More advanced models integrate a diverse array of personalized options.
Non-programmable thermostats have more basic features. You must manually change the settings anytime you want a temperature adjustment. For this reason, we recommend sticking to a couple of temperature choices throughout the cool seasons.
How To Set Your Thermostat
How you set your thermostat depends on its model and technological allowances. Programmable thermostats have a larger variation in settings between models and brands. Most non-programmable thermostats follow a similar formula with few variations.
If you have a programmable thermostat, you need your model’s instructions. Most models give you a couple of daily settings with a schedule lasting up to a week. Follow the provided instructions to change the temperature as needed.
Smart Wi-Fi thermostats provide a variety of options for each day. You can even set your thermostat based on the weather forecast from your phone. This feature allows setting changes from anywhere. If you forget to lock in the proper temperature before leaving the house, you still have access from your mobile device.
Non-programmable thermostats require routine changes daily. Pick two or three temperature settings that satisfy daytime occupancy, sleeping, and business hours. Set alarms on your phone to remind you of regular setting changes. This routine saves money throughout the season when you know what to set your heat to in the fall.
How To Lower Your Power Bill
Do you want to know how to keep your energy bill low throughout the year? For air conditioning settings, follow a similar routine as your heat settings. Regardless of the season, you should always keep your indoor temperatures as close to outdoor temperatures as possible without sacrificing comfort.
During warm weather, keep your home between 75 and 78 degrees, depending on the time of day, to provide cost-effective relief from the summer heat. Like indoor temperatures for fall weather, keeping settings within the appropriate range ensures that your air conditioning system doesn’t work too hard.
When you overwork your unit during any season, you risk costly repairs and a surplus of wear and tear in addition to high power or gas bills. These expenses pile higher over time. When you minimize the time your unit runs, you avoid costly repairs, maintenance, and energy bills.
You also save money with routine maintenance appointments. Schedule an HVAC expert to check your unit twice a year as the temperatures change. An appointment in the spring ensures your air conditioning will take on the summer heat. Likewise, a fall appointment keeps your heating system in tip-top shape.
You won’t deal with as many surprise expenses with routine maintenance checks. Similarly, a basic grasp of your unit and how it works goes a long way in protecting your wallet. Find answers to questions like, “What type of heating system do I have?” Once you have fuller knowledge about your unit, you better understand its limitations and how to save money using it.
Get in Touch With SM Mechanical Services Today
After learning what to set heat to in the fall, you probably wonder what advice an HVAC expert would provide. Routine maintenance checks stop expensive disasters before they occur. At SM Mechanical Services, we put our knowledge and expertise to work for you with each appointment.
Discover how our services can save you money. If you live in the Glastonbury, CT, area, schedule your quote at (860) 544-2026 with SM Mechanical Services.