Change Your Thermostat Setting by a Few Degrees and Save Big This Winter

Once the weather finally cools, winter starts to feel merry and bright. Until you get your energy bills, that is. We know that heating your home in the cold weather can add up, but we have tips to help you save money this winter.

Lower Your Thermostat

Heating your home typically uses more energy than any other home system, meaning it costs more. Plus, natural gas prices fluctuate, so it can be hard to predict your costs ahead of time if you don’t lock in a long-term rate. Doing what you can to be energy efficient will help you lower your average winter gas bill so you have less to worry about this season. Even changing your typical winter thermostat setting by just a couple degrees can make a big difference. We’ve done some research to figure out the best temperature for your thermostat to save money in winter. Remember, these are just suggestions, use your best judgement to decide the thermostat settings for your home.

Ideal Winter Thermostat Settings

When you’re home and awake set your thermostat to 68–70°F and lower it to 65°F while you sleep to save energy.

Lowering your thermostat by 7–10 degrees for 8 hours per day can save you 10% a year on your energy bills. For the average Georgian, this means around $145 back in your pocket. So, while you’re at work or on a winter vacation, it’s best to lower your thermostat down to 60°F so you can protect your home systems from freezing temperatures without wasting energy. However, if you have pets, we recommend setting your thermostat to your sleeping temperature to keep them comfortable while you’re away.

Are you reading this after winter has passed? Don’t worry, we have the best thermostat settings for every season to help you out.

Programmable Thermostats

An easy way to save is to use a programmable thermostat. With this, you can set a schedule to ensure your home is always at the ideal temperature for saving.

With a programmable thermostat that also connects to WiFi (a “smart” thermostat), you can also change your temperature from wherever you are. This is a perfect solution whether you forgot to change the temperature before leaving, want to raise it a bit before you get home, or just don’t want to get up from the couch.

Other Ways to Save

While heating may be the biggest use of energy during the winter, there are also other changes you can make at home to save. Here are a few simple tips that can help you save money:

• Change your air filter – A dirty filter makes your HVAC system work harder and use more energy. Replace your air filter regularly to save up to 15% on your natural gas bill.
• Weather-strip your home – Check the seals on your home’s windows and door frames to ensure there aren’t any leaks. This will make sure the cold air stays where it’s supposed to be — outside.
• Insulate your pipes – Wrapping insulation tubes around your pipes will help protect them from damages due to cold weather.

Save on Natural Gas with SCANA Energy

If you’d like even more natural gas education and energy saving tips, along with quality customer service, sign up with SCANA Energy today. It only takes a few minutes to sign up. Call 1.877.467.2262 to schedule a turn on date or start service with SCANA today.