Is it cheaper to turn down your heat at night, or keep it at a constant temp?

Question

Im in buffalo, and for the last month I have kept the temp at 68 degrees during the early evening, and at night and during the afternoon when noone is home at 63 degrees. However my first gas bill was over $260.00, so I am looking for the most efficient way to run my heater.

Answer 1

Definately turn it down when you are away or asleep.63 degrees is a safe temp.Also,check for drafts around doors,windows.Even the door to your cellar should have weather stripping.Electric blankets are the most economical appliances to run.Probably under a dollar to run constantly per month.Insert caps into electrical outlets.Check with your city hall to see if they offer free evaluations to their residents on energy conservation tips.I live in Boston,and I hear you with the heating bills.So much for Global warming hu?

Answer 2

if you leave it at a constant temp around 66 it would be more cost efficient. Letting it get colder during the night and afternoon only means the heater has to work harder to get the temp back up when you do turn it on.

Answer 3

One of the best things that you can do is to purchase a programmable digital thermometer and install it. It will allow you to keep the house at a lower temperature when no one is there (like during work/school hours), and to drop the temperature at night as well. You can program most of them to distinguish between weekdays and weekends as well. Program it to drop the temperature around the time you usually go to bed; program it to raise the temperature to daytime levels about a half-hour before you normally get up.

Answer 4

It's better to turn it down at night & when you are at work.
Try to leave it as low as you can handle it--sweatshirts & slippers and down throws help a lot.
Also, probably too late for this year, but if you have leaky windows like I do, putting plastic up in the fall really helps.
If your doors are drafty, use sealants or those bean-filled things to lay in front of them. Keep doors closed to rooms you don't use much--also to upper & lower levels.

Answer 5

I just saw a story on our local Minneapolis news the other day. All things consideded, it's cheaper to turn it down when you leave (I leave mine around 60 or so) and fire the furnace back up when you get home. Has something to do about a cooler house losing less heat.

Answer 6

If you are going to be gone over 5 hours, turn it down between 5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, otherwise, leave it be.

Answer 7

Try keeping the heat lower throughout the day and wear a sweatshirt. Also, make sure your storm windows are closed and your blinds are shut tightly (keeps drafts out).

Answer 8

use layers of clothes and blankets, as a last resort turn on the heater...