An Arctic blast sweeping across the Northeast has kicked off the winter season, bringing freezing days and nights to Pennsylvania.
You may be wondering what temperature you should set your thermostat to to strike a balance between heating up the house and cooling down your heating bill.
Whether you heat your home with propane, natural gas, oil, electric, or wood, heating costs will certainly come into play as you also try to find the most comfortable heat setting for your home and family.
Here’s what you need to know about temperature settings and energy saving tips.
What temperature should you set the thermostat to in winter?
How warm you want your home to be can be a personal preference, but according to Energy.gov the ideal temperature is 68 degrees.
The Department of Energy suggests keeping temperatures between 68 and 70 degrees when you’re at home and recommends lowering them while sleeping or outdoors as a way to conserve energy.
The World Health Organization recommends setting the indoor temperature between 64 and 75 degrees for healthy people. However, for the very young, the elderly, or those with health problems, the minimum temperature should not fall below 68 degrees Celsius.
Deputy Director Ram Narayanamurthy of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office says somewhere around 70 degrees is a good target when it’s cold.
But there are tips and tricks to stay warm while saving money on energy costs.
Energy saving tips to reduce heating costs
According to the Energy Department, turning back thermostats to 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day can save as much as 10% per year on homeowners’ heating costs. And the heating system does not work harder to warm your home again after you turn the heating down for a period of time, contrary to popular belief.
The Federal Trade Commission also offered advice on saving money through energy efficiency. Some tips:
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Invest in weather stripping and waterproofing to seal air leaks around doors and windows and in areas where pipes or wires come through cracks or holes in walls.
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Check whether heating or air conditioning filters need to be cleaned or replaced.
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Look for a product’s EnergyGuide label to see how much energy it uses and make comparisons with other options.
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Use the energy assessment on smart meters or call in a professional for an energy assessment. The FTC said it’s important to check online to see if the company is trustworthy or visit Energysavers.gov for other resources.
Maria Francis is a Pennsylvania-based journalist covering trending issues for the Mid-Atlantic Connect team.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Best temperature to set the thermostat for winter in Pennsylvania
