GREENSBORO, N.C. — What is your thermostat set on? The Department of Energy says for optimal cost savings, 68 to 70 degrees when you're awake and at home is best.
DON'T: SHUT VENTS IN YOUR HOME
This is a biggie. A lot of folks think if they shut vents in rooms they're not using, it makes the rest of the house warmer. This is a common mistake from empty nesters-- they shut off the bedrooms not being used. Experts who work on your HVAC system say, stop it.
"These systems are designed to move a certain amount of airflow and if we're choking down the system in any way, then we're starving it. Which will cause breakdowns and higher utility costs," said Brandon Fisher, VP of HVAC Services, Berico.
DO: OPEN UP YOUR CURTAINS AND BLINDS
Now let's get to one of those actions you should do: open up your curtains or your blinds and let the sunshine in, this is the free way to heat up your house.
DO: CHANGE YOUR FAN'S ROTATION
Your fan has a winter setting. To change your fan's rotation, it's often a button on the head of the fan or the remote. When your fan does a winter clockwise rotation, it draws the cold air up and disperses the warm air down to you. Put the fan on a low speed, not high speed like in summer.
The Department of Energy has this on its page:
Thermostat Operation
You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting. The percentage of savings from setback is greater for buildings in milder climates than for those in more severe climates.
The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home.