Turning Your Thermostat Down 1 Degree Can Equal Huge Savings

Earlier this week, Congress approved a new bill that would provide an additional $409 million to its Low Income Home Energy Assistance program, a program aimed at providing heating and cooling subsidies to those in financial need. Nevertheless, many political pundits are questioning whether this amount is enough, and home heating costs are still on the rise this winter.

Because home heating costs can account for more than half of a household’s energy bill, even seemingly small changes may result in substantial energy savings over the course of a season. In fact, many homeowners may not realize that simple adjustments to one’s thermostat will reduce winter heating needs by approximately 15% - a return many families may find well worth the small sacrifice in comfort.

Regardless of what type of heating system you have, a small reduction in your household’s temperature can make a huge difference in your fuel use. For every 1 degree Farenheit reduction you make, you can save 3 percent in total energy use - savings that will surely be welcomed during the holiday season.

In addition, you may not realize that your home may have uneven heating patterns. If this is the case, an energy expert may be able to help adjust your system to address uneven temperatures. If these adjustments prove to be insufficient or if you still need additional heat in your home but do not wish to utilize your central heating system, a portable space heater can be also be used to reduce the overall temperature in cold spots.