As the weather gets colder each year, many people pledge to lower their thermostats for the entire winter in order to save money and energy. However, regardless of how well-intentioned we may be, it typically does not go as planned. To be honest, in the winter, people tend to set the thermostat higher than necessary to compensate for the colder air outside and to warm up faster when they enter the house. We typically do the opposite during the warmer months, lowering the thermostat to bone-chilling levels so that we can enter the house and cool off quickly after enjoying the warm weather.

However, lowering your thermostat is an easy way to save money. In fact, for every degree you lower the thermostat, you can save up to 1% on your energy bill if you turn it down for more than eight hours at a time.

In the summer the ideal daytime at-home temperature 70-78°F Most energy-saving temperature 78°F Best temperature while you're away 85-88°F. For winter thermostat settings: If someone is at home in the daytime, 72° F is a good start, but aim for 68° F. When you are awake or asleep, set it for 65°F

A programmable thermostat is one of the easiest ways to control the temperature in the house. These thermostats will regulate the temperature in your home to the temperature you set while you are home and while you are away. This way you do not have to worry about heating an empty house for 8 hours a day while you are at work. You can then also set it to warm up a half hour before getting home so you do not have to come home to a cold house.

However, just because a programmable thermostat can control the temperature in the house does not mean that you will always be as comfortable as you are used to. Use additional blankets to stay warm if the thermostat is set at a lower temperature at night when you are asleep and you tend to feel the cold. The heating system won't have to work as hard as it should by taking weatherization measures like air sealing or adding more insulation where it is needed. These small actions have the potential to really pay off and assist in maintaining a constant temperature in your home while saving you money.