When you live in a home with other people, you’re likely to get into a thermostat war. Family members constantly adjust the thermostat to suit their personal home temperature preference, which may not be suitable for everyone else. All that back-and-forth isn’t just annoying; it can have a significant impact on your HVAC system’s energy efficiency and functionality.
If you’re embroiled in a thermostat war, keep reading to learn how to find a balance with your home temperature, save energy, and avoid discomfort.
Understanding Thermostat Wars and Home Temperature
Thermostat wars can happen for a number of reasons. Maybe one family member runs hot at night and likes to blast the air conditioner. Perhaps your grandma has arthritis and finds it more comfortable to have the heater constantly running in the winter. Maybe your dad is the thermostat police and keeps returning the home temperature to 70 degrees, no matter the season.
The truth is that each family member has unique temperature preferences and may feel colder or warmer depending on personal factors like body composition or sleep habits. Setting a consistent, moderate thermostat temperature is the key to keeping the peace. Furthermore, maintaining a consistent home temperature can lead to energy savings and improve overall HVAC efficiency.
Addressing Common Home Temperature Discomforts
Rather than constantly adjusting the temperature, there are other things you can do to stay comfortable without compromising your home’s energy efficiency. Before you reach for the thermostat, try these tips.
If you’re too hot:
- Turn on a fan
- Try different bedding
- Drink a cool glass of water
- Use a dehumidifier (dry air feels cooler)
If you’re too cold:
- Put on some warm socks
- Add an extra blanket to your bed
- Get up and move around a bit to increase your heart rate
- Use a humidifier (humid air feels warmer)
Ductless Split HVAC Systems
If thermostat wars are a constant problem in your home, consider upgrading to a ductless split HVAC system. With separate units throughout the house, you can control the home temperature independently in each area. This means that if you’re too hot or too cold, you can change the temperature by a few degrees without bothering anyone else.
Recommended Home Temperature Adjustments for Energy Efficiency
As a general rule of thumb, don’t adjust the thermostat more than 3 degrees in either direction for optimal efficiency. Consider keeping the temperature within this general range:
- In winter: Set it around 68-70 degrees during the day and lower it to 65-67 degrees at night.
- In summer: The U.S. Department of Energy recommends keeping your home at about 78 degrees while you’re home. While you’re away, bump it up a few degrees.
- At night: Regardless of the season, your home should be around 60 to 67 degrees at night.
With a smart thermostat, you don’t have to worry about monitoring your home temperature at all — it learns your habits and automatically adjusts based on your needs. Smart thermostats also analyze temperature data and make suggestions to ensure energy efficiency and save you money.
The Myth of Turning Off the Thermostat Completely
Speaking of changing the thermostat settings, many people turn off their heater at night in an attempt to save energy in the wintertime. While this makes logical sense, it may actually have the opposite effect.
When your thermostat is off during the colder months, your home can drop 8 to 10 degrees over the course of the night depending on insulation quality. When morning comes, it takes more energy to bring your home temperature back up to a comfortable level than it would to keep the thermostat on all night.
The same goes for summertime — your air conditioner may take up to one hour per degree to cool down your hot home. This means that if you turn off the system entirely while you go on vacation, you can expect to have your AC constantly running for several hours once you return.
Instead of shutting your HVAC system down for the night or during times when you won’t be home, try adjusting the temperature by only a few degrees. If you plan to be running errands all day, set your AC to a moderate temperature. This will ensure your home doesn’t get too hot or too cold, which improves energy efficiency and avoids putting too much stress on your HVAC system.
Ensure Year-Round Comfort
At Genuine Comfort, our top priority is ensuring your home is comfortable, regardless of the weather outside. Whether you need a new furnace, an AC tune-up, or just some advice, we’re here to help. Contact us today for the best HVAC service around!
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