4 Factors that Go Into the "Right Temperature" for Your Home

Gee golly, molly! Was your home’s electric or gas bill more than you expected last month? One of the best ways you can save money on these expenses is by controlling the use of heating and air conditioning in your home. If you are careful, you can adjust your use of these services and still keep your home comfortable.

Choosing the right temperature for your house is a complicated matter – what works for one home and family may not do anything for another. However, if you keep in mind the four following factors, you’ll find that you can make the right adjustments that will help you save.

1. Size Matters

One of the most important considerations with your home’s HVAC usage is the size of your house. Naturally, a bigger home will cost more to keep warm in winter and cool in summer. However, you may be able to somewhat control the use of heating and cooling within a larger home by using zoned temperature control. This works by allowing you to use (for instance) the heater less in the upstairs bedroom area during the day time or cooling the basement less at night when no one is down there.

2. Foot Traffic Findings

The amount of traffic in, out, and around your home should be considered when you choose the temperature. If you have more people in a smaller space, you may not need as much heat in winter. However, the need for air conditioning may increase in summer.

3. What’s Your Schedule?

If everyone in your household works full-time or goes to school during the day, there could conceivably be 8 to 10 hours per day where no one is in the home. During these hours, you don’t really need your heating and air conditioning as much. Using a programmable thermostat can make it easy to take care of these adjustments automatically, so you don’t even need to think about it.

4. Change Temperatures with the Seasons

It is important that you remember to adjust your home’s temperature with the seasons. In the summer, you will want to keep the temperature a bit higher and in the winter, a bit lower. This saves money and will still keep you comfortable – since you will be dressing for the seasons anyway.

While you can calculate all the little things that go into determining the right temperature, it is important that you remember your personal needs and desires. You want your home to be comfortable for yourself and your family, so one of the most important considerations is comfort.

If you have any further questions about the temperature of your home or your HVAC system in general, contact the home comfort specialists at Blanton’s. We are always here for you!