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AE-94

Purdue University

Cooperative Extension Service

West Lafayette, IN 47907

Interested in cutting home heating fuel consumption--and your heating bill--by 10, 20, even 30 percent? The easiest way is simply to "Turn back the thermostat!" But many folks don't do it. Some feel it's an inconvenience or they just plain forget. Others have heard that it really doesn't save that much money. Still others are concerned about "feeling cold."

To respond to those objections, this little folder presents some facts and figures that you might find interesting. Inside are actual examples of how families like yours have lowered their average household temperatures and what it saved them. Following that is a table showing expected cost differences between different temperature settings, which might just help convince you that "turning back the thermostat" is worth it! Finally, on the back are some tips on how to feel comfortable in a cooler house.

How Three Families Cut Their Fuel Bills

* Family A, which normally kept their house at 70F, decided to lower the thermostat to 65F at night. They saved 5 percent on their fuel bill for the year.

* Everybody in Family B was usually gone from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. during the week; so they decided to use a nighttime setback, which they continued until 4 p.m. on weekdays, but not weekends. The settings were 64F at night and on weekdays until 4 p.m. and 70F weekday evenings and on weekends from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. The family realized a 12 percent savings on their annual fuel bill.

* Family C, consisting of two working adults who spent only evenings at home, chose to set the thermostat at 67F for the evening hours and weekend days and 58F at night. To be comfortable in the evening, they wore warmer clothing. Their annual fuel bill savings was 30 percent.

To figure what your Savings might be, read on....

The Cost of Dialing Down (or Up)

Use this table to estimate what your fuel bill might be if you reduced (or increased) the temperature in your house.

Find your fuel bill at 70F. (If you don't know what it is, have the FACTS home insulation computer program run for you at your county Extension office.) Now you can compare the cost at 70F to the cost at your present average household temperature and to the cost at settings 5 degrees and maybe 10 degrees lower.

Every degree set back (or ahead) from your present heating level makes about a 3 percent difference in your annual fuel bill. So, a 5-degree setback means a 15 percent savings for the year!

  Your cost at an        If your annual     Your cost at an
average temperature of:    fuel bill    average temperature of:
------------------------               ------------------------
55F    60F    65F          at 70F is:       75F   80F    85F
---------------------------------------------------------------
$110  $140   $170           $200           $230  $260   $290
165    210    255            300            345   390    435
220    280    340            400            460   520    580
175    350    425            500            575   650    725
330    420    510            600            690   780    870
385    490    595            700            805   910   1015
440    560    680            800            920  1040   1160
395    630    785            900           1015  1170   1305
550    700    850           1000           1150  1300   1450
605    770    935           1100           1165  1430   1595
660    840   1020           1200           1380  1560   1740
715    910   1105           1300           1495  1690   1885
770    980   1190           1400           1610  1820   2030
825   1050   1275           1500           1775  1950   2175
880   1120   1360           1600           1840  2080   2320
935   1190   1445           1700           1955  2110   2465
990   1260   1530           1800           2070  2340   2610
1045  1330   1615           1900           2185  2470   2755
1100  1400   1700           2000           2300  2600   2900
1375  1750   2125           2500           2875  3250   3625
1850  2100   2550           2000           3450  3900   4350
-------------------------------------------------------------

To convert to average temperature if a setback thermostat is used:

  Average =  (Temp `A' x hr. at `A') + (Temp `B' x hr. at `B')
    temp.    --------------------------------------------------           
			           24 hr.

To figure average temperature for weekday and weekend temperature differences:

  Total avg. =   (Temp `1' x days at `1') + (Temp `2 x days at `2')
    temp.       ----------------------------------------------------
			               7 days

For example: Family B

    Average  =   (64x18)+(70x6)  = 65.5F and
      temps.    ---------------     
		       24                

                (64x8)+(70x16)   = 68F  
		---------------
		       24

    Total avg. =  (65.5 x 5) + (68 x 2) = 66F
      temp.      ----------------------
			   7

Keeping Comfortable When You Dial Down

To still feel comfortable at a lower house temperature, consider doing the following:

* Tighten up the house by weatherstripping and caulking all leaks around doors, windows, pipes or any opening into the house.

* Reduce radiant heat loss through windows by using shades, lined drapes, blinds or quilted window coverings. Open covering when the sun shines; close it as soon as the sun goes down.

* Remove window air conditioners when summer's over; or at least cover and weatherstrip or caulk around the edges to seal out cold air.

* Arrange furniture so it does not block the flow of heated air from ducts.

* If you have a humidifier, use it to maintain a 30-40 percent moisture level.

* It you use a wood burning stove, plan to increase your home's humidity level.

* Dress for a lower temperature; wear several layers of clothing rather than a single heavy layer; layers of clothing help trap air, making you feel warmer.

Your local Cooperative Extension Service can provide information and assistance on many energy management topics. Contact them with your questions.