Best Thermostat Settings for the Midwest

The Midwest is a region known for incredibly fickle weather, which can easily change from one hour to the next. Of course, this does not mean homeowners must put up with such extreme temperature swings while relaxing indoors. By adjusting your thermostat wisely, you can prepare and account for any situation Kentucky or Ohio can throw at you. If you’ve been wondering how to best use your thermostat to help keep you comfortable in the Midwest, keep reading.

Recommended Thermostat Settings for the Midwest

The ideal Midwest home thermostat settings will vary depending on the household’s preferences. That said, you should also factor in what the utility bills will look like by the end of the month. Striking a balance between comfort and energy output is key to getting the most out of your thermostat. The time of day is another crucial point to consider when setting your home temperature.

No matter the season, the goal is to avoid making drastic changes to your thermostat’s temperature. Trying to dramatically increase your home’s temperature in the winter or lower it in the summer reduces energy efficiency while also putting undue strain on your HVAC system.

Summer Settings

Experts generally agree that you should set your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. For many people, that sounds unreasonably high, but it’s crucial to remember that you’re not trying to make your home as cold as possible. Instead, you want to create a safe, comfortable space that’s cooler than it is outside.

You can also adjust the temperature when you’re outside the home for work or away on your summer vacation. Raising it even a few degrees can help give your HVAC equipment a break while also boosting energy efficiency. There are a lot of tips to help summer efficiency, and thermostats are just one!

Winter Settings

During a Midwest winter, your home can get extremely cold at night while you are sleeping. However, you can avoid waking up to an unpleasant chill by configuring your thermostat with the following settings. Start at 68 degrees and make any slight adjustments as needed to find your ideal temperature. When you’re asleep, it’s a good idea to drop it a couple of degrees. You can also lower the temperature while you’re not home.

Should You Adjust Settings When Away?

Yes, we recommend setting your thermostat slightly lower or higher than normal when you plan to go on vacation. You can lower it in winter when there is less need for heat, and raise it in summer if there is no reason to keep your home cool. This allows you to save quite a bit on your electricity bills. Since you won’t be home, there is no need to expend extra energy for the sake of comfort.

Be sure to be mindful of any pets that you have in your home. While animals regulate their internal temperatures differently from humans, you still don’t want to let things get too hot or too cold.

In summer, you can raise the temperature to around 80 degrees when traveling. If you have a smart thermostat, schedule it to cool your home the morning you plan to get back. In winter, feel free to lower the temperature to about 55 degrees. We recommend not going any lower than that to avoid any potential pipe freezing issues while you are away.

Tips to Optimize Your Thermostat Use

There are plenty of tricks to help optimize your thermostat use. The following energy-saving thermostat tips will help you reduce energy bills while preserving the comfort level inside your home.

• Adjust the temperature slowly. Avoid drastic changes
• Plan your settings based on work and life schedules
• Use a smart thermostat to adjust settings on the fly
• Automate nighttime temperatures with sleep mode functions
• Seal doors and windows to prevent drafts that make your HVAC system work harder
• Raise or lower the temperature when you are away for extended durations
• Turn on “eco mode” to regulate energy efficiency automatically

Call Sal’s for HVAC Services in Kentucky & Ohio

Sal’s Heating and Cooling has served households across the Midwest since 1975. Whether you need help with heating, cooling, or smart thermostat installs, we have HVAC Midwest specialists waiting to get started on your project. Our primary service areas are Kentucky and Ohio, where we provide friendly and efficient service right to your doorstep.

Contact Sal’s Heating and Cooling for the best thermostat settings and HVAC services in the Midwest!