Winter in Madison, WI can be harsh, with freezing temperatures and snowy days making it essential to keep your home warm and comfortable. As homeowners across Madison, Fitchburg, Middleton, Waunakee, Verona, and Monona prepare their homes for winter, one common question we hear at Shackelford Heating & Cooling is: What temperature should I set my thermostat to during winter?
Setting the thermostat too high can lead to sky-high energy bills, while setting it too low can leave you feeling uncomfortable. Finding the right balance is crucial to maintaining a warm home without wasting energy. In this guide, we’ll explore the best thermostat settings for winter to help you maximize comfort and efficiency.
The Ideal Winter Thermostat Settings for Comfort & Savings
According to energy experts, the ideal temperature to set your thermostat in the winter is 68°F (20°C) when you’re home and awake. This temperature strikes the perfect balance between comfort and energy savings. At this setting, your heating system works efficiently without overworking, helping to keep your energy bills manageable throughout the colder months.
When You’re Home
When you’re at home and awake, 68°F is typically comfortable for most households. If you find it a bit chilly, consider layering up with warm clothing or using blankets rather than increasing the thermostat. Raising the temperature, even by just a few degrees, can significantly increase your energy consumption.
At Shackelford Heating & Cooling, we often recommend installing a smart thermostat for our customers in Madison and the surrounding areas. A smart thermostat allows you to easily adjust your home’s temperature remotely and create customized schedules, ensuring your home is comfortable when you need it and saving energy when you don’t.
When You’re Away
When you’re away from home for an extended period, whether at work or running errands, it’s a good idea to lower the thermostat to 60-65°F (15-18°C). There’s no need to heat an empty home, and this small adjustment can save you a significant amount on energy costs over the course of the winter.
If you have a programmable or smart thermostat, you can set it to automatically lower the temperature when you leave and raise it again before you return, ensuring you come back to a warm and cozy home without wasting energy while you’re out.
Overnight Settings
At night, experts recommend lowering the thermostat to 60-65°F while you’re asleep. Cooler temperatures not only save energy but can also lead to better sleep. If the cooler temperature is uncomfortable, consider adding an extra blanket or using a space heater in the bedroom to stay warm without raising the heat throughout the entire home.
By lowering the thermostat by 5-10 degrees for at least 8 hours a day, you could save up to 10% annually on your heating costs. For homes in Madison, where winters are long and cold, these savings can add up over the season.
Factors That Influence the Best Temperature Setting
While 68°F is a great general guideline, the ideal temperature can vary depending on several factors:
1. Age of Home
Older homes in Madison may not be as well-insulated as newer builds, meaning you could lose heat more quickly. In such cases, you might need to keep your thermostat slightly higher to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature.
2. Home Size and Layout
Larger homes or homes with multiple stories may require different temperature settings depending on how your heating system distributes warmth. If you have rooms that are consistently colder, it might be worth considering a zoning system or ductless mini-split system to help regulate the temperature more effectively in specific areas.
3. Personal Comfort
Everyone has their comfort preferences. If 68°F feels too chilly, raise the temperature slightly, but be mindful that every degree higher can increase your energy bill by about 1-2%. A compromise might be to set the thermostat at 70°F while you’re home and then lower it at night or when you’re away.
4. Type of Heating System
The type of heating system you have also plays a role in how efficiently you can maintain your desired temperature. If you have a high-efficiency furnace or heat pump, you may find that your home heats up quickly and maintains temperature with minimal effort. On the other hand, older or less efficient systems may require more energy to keep up, especially during Madison’s harsh winter days.
If your heating system is struggling to maintain the set temperature or you notice significant temperature fluctuations, it may be time for a furnace repair or even furnace replacement. Shackelford Heating & Cooling can assess your system to ensure it’s operating at peak performance throughout the winter season.
Smart Thermostats: The Key to Easy Temperature Control
One of the easiest ways to manage your home’s temperature and save energy is by installing a smart thermostat. At Shackelford Heating & Cooling, we highly recommend smart thermostats for our customers across Madison and Dane County. These devices offer several benefits, including:
- Remote Control: Adjust your home’s temperature from anywhere using your smartphone or tablet.
- Learning Capability: Many smart thermostats learn your habits over time and automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule.
- Energy Reports: Track your energy usage and receive insights on how to improve efficiency.
- Custom Scheduling: Program your thermostat to lower the temperature when you’re asleep or away and raise it when you’re home.
Smart thermostats can easily integrate with your existing HVAC system and offer long-term savings on energy bills, making them a smart investment for Madison homeowners.
Why Choose Shackelford Heating & Cooling?
At Shackelford Heating & Cooling, we’ve been helping homeowners in Madison, Fitchburg, Middleton, Waunakee, Verona, and Monona stay warm and comfortable all winter long. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your thermostat, repair your furnace, or install a new heating system, our team of experienced technicians is here to help.
We pride ourselves on delivering high-quality HVAC solutions, exceptional customer service, and energy-efficient recommendations tailored to your home’s specific needs. If you’ve been searching for “HVAC near me,” look no further than Shackelford Heating & Cooling.
Stay Warm & Save Energy This Winter
The right thermostat settings can make a big difference in your home’s comfort and energy efficiency during the winter months. By following these simple guidelines and considering a smart thermostat, you can keep your home cozy while keeping energy costs down.
Need help with your thermostat or heating system? Contact Shackelford Heating & Cooling today to schedule a consultation and ensure your home is ready for the Madison winter.
