Too hot, too cold, or just right - the temperature of your home fluctuates pretty dramatically throughout the seasons. It can be hard to keep your house at just the right temperature.
Photo by Ilse Orsel on Unsplash
Is there an ideal temperature for comfort?
Some people seem to run a little bit warmer than others, and others are always cold. So while there might not be one set ideal temperature for your home, it generally lies between 68 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit.
Smart thermostats can usually help people to maintain the temperature better than turning dials up and down every few hours.
The design of the home will also play a significant role in how well it retains heat. For example, you might like a very warm living room but a cooler bedroom, if the bedroom in question is above the warmest room, heat rises and that room will be warmer than you’d like.
One of the biggest factors that can help you with temperature control is regular air conditioning maintenance and cleaning. Anything not working or clogging your heating and cooling systems will increase the energy cost, and be less efficient at temperature control.
Here are tips for maintaining the right temperature.
Ceiling fans
Ceiling fans have two settings, one for winter and one for summer. In the summer they pull warm air up and distribute cooler air. In the winter they push the warm air down. Putting your ceiling in reverse mode will avoid you having heat that you can access on your ceiling.
Thermostat
Most houses don’t have people in them 24/7 which means the heating and cooling is costing money for no reason. Even a basic programmable thermostat (that is used correctly) can mean that you only use the heating at the important parts of the day. Match that to your HVAC utility and installation and you’ll be comfortable exactly when you need to be.
So for example first thing in the morning before everyone leaves, and about 30 minutes before the first person gets home in the afternoon or evening.
It is also worth considering that if there is only one person at home during the day, it is more practical and cheaper for them to wear extra layers of clothing rather than turn the heating one.
For warmer months, it might be a case of keeping the home as cool as possible. In which case, keeping blinds and curtains closed can avoid the midday heat being trapped in the house and the AC working overtime.
Winter
While the winter is relatively short, it can cost the most in terms of energy and be the most difficult to maintain. Mobile heating units with an Energy Star rating can be a cost-effective way to heat the room that most people spend time in.
Using thicker curtains, and draught excluders can soak up the cold and allow the room to reach a warm and comfortable temperature.
It is also important that your home is ready for the winter long before it arrives. Often we leave this until the temperature has already started dropping, and that means we are in a race against time to prepare. Preparing Your Home for Winter | Our Good Life.
