What is the “best” temperature for your home this winter in Iowa?

Iowa has been pretty lucky in November when it comes to outside temperatures. In my opinion, this middle part of fall has been very warm. The sad truth is that eventually temperatures will drop and it will start to get colder.

We may have a warmer than usual winter, but at some point, your furnace will have to regulate the temperature of your home, all day and all night.

It’s time for that age-old question…what is the “best” temperature to keep your home this winter? You could ask this question to 10 different people and get 10 different answers. My wife prefers the temperature to stay around 72 and I prefer closer to 67. Anything above 70 I feel hot. Anything below 70, you feel cold. So we compromise and leave it at 70 degrees.

When it comes to comfort, in my opinion, what’s best is what you feel most comfortable in…duh. When it comes to efficiency and saving money, it’s a whole different ball game.

Energy says you can save up to 10% annually on heating and cooling costs “Return your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours a day from its normal setting.”

To save the most energy and money when temperatures start to drop in Iowa, you’ll want to keep your home temperature somewhere between 68 and 70 degrees when you’re awake. While you are sleeping or away from home, you will need to lower it by 4 or 5 degrees. If you’re comfortable keeping it lower than that during the day, congratulations because you’re already saving a little energy and money.

The lower your indoor temperature, the slower your home will lose heat. The longer your home stays at this lower temperature, the more energy and money you save.

Energy reports indicate that savings are greater for homes/buildings in moderate climates than for those in harsher climates. In Iowa, we can see temperatures below 0 degrees for weeks at a time. Obviously, you’ll see a decline in savings if we go through weeks like this, this winter. The location of your thermostat can also play a factor in the performance and efficiency of your heater.

According to energy, “For a thermostat to work properly, the thermostat must be located on an interior wall away from direct sunlight, drafts, doorways, skylights and windows. It must be located in an area with natural drafts.” I’m not sure why you would want to block your thermostat with furniture but make sure the furniture is not placed in front of or below the thermostat.

what do you think?

What temperature do you prefer to keep your home at during the winter? Are you completely okay with spending a few extra dollars to keep your home warm and cozy at 72 degrees or do you throw on a jacket, grab your wool socks, find a blanket, and keep your home below 67 degrees? Is there really a “best” when it comes to the temperature in your home?