Since it’s the beginning of summer and already pretty hot in the southern US where we are, the temptation is to make it a little extra cool inside to make up for the amount of heat pouring in the windows. But we gradually acclimate ourselves over the spring months (turning the thermostat up a degree at a time as the outside temperature dictates) until we can stand around 78°F inside. We keep ceiling fans on at night in bedrooms to ensure no one sleeps too hot, but otherwise it’s pretty comfortable, and saves a good amount on our power bill. Only exceptions are, again, when we have company–and we turn it down to around 76°F.
In the winter, we do the reverse–we let it get as cool as we can keep it comfortably for the kids (with a little bundling up if necessary) before we turn the heat on. I know several people in the northern US that let it get as cool as 40°F in their house! I’m not sure I could do that, being a Florida girl and all, but I’m sure it helps out with the bills! ;)
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This is a good tip. I live in MN and would strongly suggest against lowering the heat to 40. We keep ours at 65 since I’m home during the day and don’t like washing dishes by hand while bundled up. 60 is our limit. Some areas of the house might actually get colder than others. This is the case with the lower cupboards in our kitchen. Our olive oil started thickening up this winter. If you lower your heat too much your pipes can freeze and burst- which will cost much more than potential savings. That’s something you certainly want to keep in mind.
Also, if you have small animals or children make sure you check on their warmth periodically. Our cat & dog are warmer than we are in the winter. We keep our ferret cage right next to a heating vent to prevent and health issues for them. I also stock up on warm winter wear for my daughter year round, always making sure she has a cardigan/sweater and fleece robe that fits if she wants it.
In the summer if it’s not too humid I open all of our windows at night. I put box fans in our bedroom windows to blow the cool air in & run the ceiling fan to circulate the air a bit. (They’re right over our beds) Then in the morning I’ll shut the windows again and turn on the ac as needed. It’s horrible how humid it can get some days. I wish we had dry heat instead.