A Matter of Degrees

Be careful not to overheat rooms in winter. In the cold weather, set your thermostat at 68-70 degrees in daytime, and 55-58 degrees at night.

If you are cold at night, add a blanket or close the door and use a heater in your bedroom.  Add humidity, since moister air holds heat better.  Either is more efficient than heating the whole house or apartment while you sleep or are away.

Lowering your thermostat just two degrees during winter saves 6 percent of heating-related CO2 emissions. That’s a reduction of 420 pounds of CO2 per year for a typical home.  Consider smart thermostats that can automatically set temperatures for when you are away or at home and can be set to warm your house by the time you get up in the morning. 

Reducing heating when you are sleeping or not at home makes a big difference in energy use.