While not as extreme as Texas summers, winter can be an expensive time of year for your heating and cooling. Your thermostat is more important than ever, and it can be difficult to strike a balance between keeping it low enough to conserve energy and high enough to keep the home comfortable. Fortunately, thermostat technology has risen to the occasion in recent years. It’s easy to save money using your thermostat this year and keep your home comfortable. You just need to know the right tips.

Turn the Thermostat Down During the Day

Chances are, between work and school, no one will be home during the day. But even if you work from home or have an odd shift at work, turning down the thermostat during the day can be a smart plan, because the weather is warmest during the day. You can turn the thermostat back up in the evening as everyone gets home, and down again right before you go to sleep. This may seem an odd choice, given that the temperature is usually at its coolest late at night. However, you have to take into account that you’ll be covered in blankets at the end of the night, so you may not need the home heating as much.

Consider Programmable or WiFi Thermostats

One easy way to solve this problem is by investing in a programmable thermostat. With preset programs, your thermostat can adjust automatically to the needs of the day, so you won’t have to think about it. Another option is WiFi thermostats, which allow you to adjust the temperature remotely. You can turn the temperature down after you’ve already left the house and turn it back home before you leave work at the end of the day. You can also turn the temperature back up in the morning while still snugly under your covers.

Vacation? Turn the Thermostat Down, Not Off

If you’re going on vacation for the winter, you might assume that the best way to save money is by turning off your thermostat for the duration. In actuality, it’s better to turn the thermostat down, not off. The amount of energy needed to power the heat on and off will take its toll on your heating bills, while turning the thermostat down is a gentler way to lessen the energy being used to heat your home. Here again, a programmable thermostat may come in handy, as many programmable thermostats come with vacation programs.

Utilize Heavy Curtains

Covering your windows in heavy curtains can help prevent heat loss that would make your home heating have to work harder to meet your thermostat setting. Double pane or triple pane windows can also help to ensure better insulation during the winter months. During the day, however, you can open those curtains to let in as much sunlight as possible — particularly for south facing windows. The light and heat from the sun will help to warm the home until evening.

Need help optimizing your thermostat usage this winter or switching to a programmable or WiFi thermostat? Contact Air Solutions in Bryan-College Station today for more information.