DOE Math: Turn the Thermostat Back 7–10°F for 8 Hours a Day and Save Up to 10% a Year on Heating and Cooling
Heating season has begun, and household energy bills are climbing as temperatures fall. The U.S. Department of Energy DOE, through its Energy Saver guidance, lists several steps households can take this season — starting with how the thermostat is set.
The DOE recommends keeping the thermostat at about 68°F while you are awake and at home, and turning it down while you sleep or are away. According to the department, turning the thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 hours a day can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling bills. A programmable or smart thermostat can make those setbacks automatically on a daily schedule.
Sealing air leaks comes next: drafts around door and window frames and where pipes pass through walls let heated air escape, and caulk and weatherstripping can close them. Open curtains on south-facing windows during the day to let sunlight warm the rooms, and close them at night to cut heat loss.
On maintenance, replace or clean the furnace filter once a month during the heating season, since a clogged filter drives up energy use; keep furniture and rugs clear of vents and radiators; and set the water heater to 120°F, which saves energy and reduces the risk of scalding.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：墙上数码恒温器显示室温66华氏度、处于供暖模式（资料图）。Ente75 摄，CC0，via Wikimedia Commons / Photo: A digital wall thermostat reading 66°F in heat mode (file photo). Ente75, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
