Critique my thermostat setting

[millertime150]

It is starting to get cold now and I recently turned on the heat. I was wondering if my setting was energy efficient. It is a programmable thermostat. At this setting my house is always a bit cold. It wouldn't bother me too much but now we have a baby so I can't think just about my wife and myself anymore. I usually use about 150-185 therms in December, January, and February. I have gas heating and my therms are locked in at $0.75.

If I bump up the temps 1 degree across the board how should it effect my month bill?

Any other ways on programming my thermostat to be more efficient??

Morning:67F
Day:66F
Evening: 68F
Night: 67F

 

[SepticTank]

The oft-quoted rule of thumb here is that 1C drop on the thermostat saves about 10%

Here we're set at a constant 20C (68F) but a timer set to manage the on & off...

 

[WhosYerBob]

We program our thermostat to drop at 10pm to 58 degrees, bump up to 64 degrees at 5am to 7am, back down to 58 while we're at work, then up to 69 at 5pm.

We used to go cooler at night but it's tough on the plants, fish tank and my wife's Raynaud's condition.

 

[JECIII]

My thermostat usually is set to 60 F in the winter.

 

[tsmba]

I guess it depends on who is in your house. I like it a bit cooler, say 68. However, many women seem cold-blooded and want it much higher, so it becomes a battle. I worked with a woman who told me she keeps her home at 80. That would drive me out!

 

[millertime150]

We program our thermostat to drop at 10pm to 58 degrees, bump up to 64 degrees at 5am to 7am, back down to 58 while we're at work, then up to 69 at 5pm.

We used to go cooler at night but it's tough on the plants, fish tank and my wife's Raynaud's condition.

My thermostat usually is set to 60 F in the winter.

Man I thought I set it cold (compared to most I know) but you guys have it freezing!!!

If I lived by myself I would be right with you guys. If I got cold I would just use another blanket or layer more clothing.

 

[Prince]

I guess it depends on who is in your house. I like it a bit cooler, say 68. However, many women seem cold-blooded and want it much higher, so it becomes a battle. I worked with a woman who told me she keeps her home at 80. That would drive me out!

My wife's grandma is like that. 80 in her house all year around.

 

[mmack66]

You aren't really maximizing the functionality of a programmable thermostat if you only have 1-2 degree differences throughout the day. If no one is home during the day, you can set it lower.

+1 on the cave dwellers itt.

 

[stobes21]

We program our thermostat to drop at 10pm to 58 degrees, bump up to 64 degrees at 5am to 7am, back down to 58 while we're at work, then up to 69 at 5pm...

This is how I would like to do it on our programmable. I just need to pull out the owners manual and figure out how to actually program the damn thing...

 

[David in Boston]

You aren't really maximizing the functionality of a programmable thermostat if you only have 1-2 degree differences throughout the day. If no one is home during the day, you can set it lower.

+1 on the cave dwellers itt.

What would you set the thermostat at when your away at work and at night while sleeping?

 

[mmack66]

What would you set the thermostat at when your away at work and at night while sleeping?

Somewhere around 60. The baby may require a different setting at night but I have no experience to speak to that aspect.

 

[BrianL]

I have mine set to 77, but it was around 100 yesterday. I do not usually have to turn the heat on here at all. Talk to your Pediatrician about the tempurature your house should be for the little one. I suspect that since you are comfortable the baby will be too. Babies have been around in all cliamtes with the rest of us and seem to be OK.

 

[Greybeard]

We program our thermostat to drop at 10pm to 58 degrees, bump up to 64 degrees at 5am to 7am, back down to 58 while we're at work, then up to 69 at 5pm.

We used to go cooler at night but it's tough on the plants, fish tank and my wife's Raynaud's condition.

Like this, except we keep it at 68 when we're home. The fish need a temperature in the low 70's (little wimps) so the tank has its own heater.


- Peter

 

[Dennis]

I agree - those swings aren't big enough. It is not even worth having a programmable for that. Our is set to come up to 68F about 20 minutes before we get home, stay there until 10-11pm then drop to 60F. Then raise back up to 68F about 30 minutes before we wake up. That is M-F. I don't recall how our weekends are set.

 

[millertime150]

I agree - those swings aren't big enough. It is not even worth having a programmable for that. Our is set to come up to 68F about 20 minutes before we get home, stay there until 10-11pm then drop to 60F. Then raise back up to 68F about 30 minutes before we wake up. That is M-F. I don't recall how our weekends are set.

I can see it maybe wouldn't be worth spending extra on a programmable if I were to only use 1-2 degree changes but it was already in the house. If you mean it is not even worth changing the settings by 1-2 degrees as far as cost go it depends on your opinion of much savings is worth it. I am too lazy to calculate how much my savings would be using the rule of thumb 1 degree=5-10% increase/decrease in your monthly bill. It is worth it to me to do this even if I only save $10 a month.

 

[82R100]

The evening temperature setback helps prod me to bed in the cold months.

 

[mmack66]

I can see it maybe wouldn't be worth spending extra on a programmable if I were to only use 1-2 degree changes but it was already in the house. If you mean it is not even worth changing the settings by 1-2 degrees as far as cost go it depends on your opinion of much savings is worth it. I am too lazy to calculate how much my savings would be using the rule of thumb 1 degree=5-10% increase/decrease in your monthly bill. It is worth it to me to do this even if I only save $10 a month.

There isn't enough of a temperature change for it to matter. The way you have it now, you could just leave it at 67 or 68 all the time. If there is no one at home during the day, it doesn't make sense to heat the house for no reason. That is where the cost savings start to kick in.

 

[Greybeard]

There isn't enough of a temperature change for it to matter. The way you have it now, you could just leave it at 67 or 68 all the time. If there is no one at home during the day, it doesn't make sense to heat the house for no reason. That is where the cost savings start to kick in.

Also at night when you're sleeping under warm covers. The advantage to a programmable thermostat is that you can set it to warm up the house to a comfortable temperature before you get up in the morning and before you get home from work.


- Peter

 

[millertime150]

There isn't enough of a temperature change for it to matter. The way you have it now, you could just leave it at 67 or 68 all the time. If there is no one at home during the day, it doesn't make sense to heat the house for no reason. That is where the cost savings start to kick in.

Ok I know you may laugh but when I am not home I do not want to lower the heat down because my Boxer hates being cold. Maybe I could lower it down to 65

 

[Greybeard]

Ok I know you may laugh but when I am not home I do not want to lower the heat down because my Boxer hates being cold. Maybe I could lower it down to 65

Well then the only choices you have are to leave the settings the way you have them, let the dog sleep in bed with you at night, or talk him into wearing a sweater and socks .


- Peter