5 Thermostat Tips for Ultimate Comfort

Are you looking to maximize the comfort levels in your Charleston, South Carolina, home? Our expert thermostat tips can help you get the best results this season.

Turn the Thermostat Down Before Bed

When we sleep, our bodies naturally cool off, so having a cooler bedroom can help you fall asleep faster and sleep deeper than if you cranked up the thermostat. In fact, sleeping in temperatures between 60 and 68 degrees allows the body to release more melatonin, lulling you to sleep. There are other benefits of sleeping in a colder room, as well. Lowering the thermostat at night can reduce your risk for metabolic diseases and boost anti-aging hormones. For your overall health, a cooler bedroom makes sense.

Program the Thermostat Around Your Work Schedule

There’s no need to have your heat turned up when you’re away from home. Consider buying a programmable thermostat that allows you to program temperature changes based on when family members are away at work or school.

For example, you can set the thermostat to automatically lower the temperature at 8:30 every weekday morning, then increase it at 2:30 p.m. before the kids come home from school. Many programmable thermostat models accommodate multiple programs, allowing you to set different weekday and weekend schedules. You can also change the thermostat settings for when you’re away on vacation.

Having the thermostat lower the temperature even by a few degrees every day can help your heating system work more efficiently and save money on utility bills.

Bundle Up and Save

If you like your house warm, you might be inclined to crank up the thermostat to stay toasty warm, but doing so should be your last resort. Instead, try bundling up in extra clothing layers or blankets so you can keep the thermostat turned down a couple of degrees.

Wearing socks, a sweater, and long lounge pants should help, but if your house is still too chilly, it might be time to bundle the structure itself. Adding more insulation to your home helps keep heated air inside where you want it, effectively trapping heat like a blanket. Over time, insulation breaks down in the walls, so even if you had adequate insulation years ago, it might be time to add some more.

Utilize Natural Warmth

An effortless way to help reduce demand on your thermostat is to open the curtains during the day to let the sun in. Even when it’s cold outside, as long as the sun is shining it is producing heat that can warm up a room through the windowpane.

Alternatively, if your windows are outdated and tend to leak air, the opposite might be more beneficial. Keep drafty windows covered with heavy drapes or plastic film and tape to prevent the cold from seeping inside. When done correctly, these methods can help reduce your energy bill and leave more cash in your pocket.

Another natural heat source, if you have one, is the fireplace. You can reduce heat loss in the fireplace by opening the dampers in the firebox or cracking a nearby window. When the fireplace isn’t in use, however, keep the damper closed; otherwise, it’s like keeping a window open at night. When using a fireplace, don’t forget to adjust your thermostat accordingly so you aren’t using two heat sources at once.

Calibrate the Thermostat

Thermostats can lose calibration over time, making them less accurate. You should test your thermostat’s accuracy each heating season by taping a glass thermometer to the wall near the thermostat. Just be sure the thermometer isn’t touching the wall directly; use paper towels behind it as a padding. After 15 minutes, read the temperature and see if it matches the thermostat.

If the temperatures are different, it’s time to clean and calibrate the thermostat. Remove the cover and clean it inside and out, then straighten the mercury vial or tighten the calibration screw. Recheck the temperature and you should be good to go!

Understanding your thermostat and adjusting your environment accordingly can help boost your home’s comfort this season. Contact M & B Heating and Air at 843-628-1775 to schedule a heating tune-up service and ensure your system is at its peak efficiency.

Image provided by Shutterstock