How much can I save on my energy bill?

Question

My energy bill is currently around $150 per month. My thermostat was set at around 72 degrees. I recently turned it down to 66 degrees. Will this impact my bill (for the better) at all? If so, by how much do you think?

Just curious!

Answer 1

You could save a little money by turning the thermostat down. But the big question is how much are you losing from leaks from your home. If the ducts in your attic that deliver the air to the rooms has leaks and holes your are cooling or heating the attic before it even gets into the house. If there are leaks around your windows or doors, air is escaping . Fixing these items will enhance the saving you can get by turn your themostat down.

Answer 2

I've always heard that every degree below 70 that you set you thermostat to will save you money.  Check out the link below for a more detailed explaination.

But there are other ways to save on your energy bill that can make a HUGE impact (speaking from experience).  For instance, unplugging all unused electronics, switching to CFL bulbs, setting the sleep timer on TVs at night, and investing in a power strip that cuts off all power to all plugged in devices eliminating "vampire" electronics cut my power bill down by 50%.   The second link is a link to the power strip.... its pretty amazing.  By the way, we havent set back our thermostat--and we like it to be warm in the apartment.  

I've also learned that cutting back the thermostat at night and when you are away isnt always a good idea, because your heating/cooling system has to work overtime to get to your desired setting when heating/cooling instead of just minimally working to maintain a constant temp.

Answer 3

People are just trying to help.  I don't think anyone could accurately answer that question because it depends on a lot of factors.  You will just have to see how your bill is next month and if it was worth it.

Answer 4

By lowering your thermostat to 68 degrees, most estimates show  you can save  between $10 and $30 per month on your heating bill.  Of course, since you've turned it down to 66 degrees, your savings should be on the higher end.  

By turning your thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours (say when you're away at work or school), you can save about 5 to 15% a year on heating bills. And installing a programmable thermostat to schedule changes in temperature according to your schedule can save up to $115 annually on your energy bills.

Answer 5

A rule of thumb is that you will save 5% per degree that you turn down your thermostat.  Obviously, this doesn't work when you turn your tstat down by a WHOLE LOT (since your bill wouldn't go to zero if you turned it down by 20 degrees), but it gives you a rough idea of what you'll save.  

I'd bet you'll get a good 20% reduction on your heating bill.   But I'm just guessing.

Good luck.

Answer 6

if your thermostat is set at 66 degrees in the summer your not going to save any money because its going to cost a lot to get the house that cool, especially if you live in the south. It depends on the weather and climate.

but in the winter you might be chilly, depending on where you live. At 66 your house can get really chilly, if you have children Id advise keeping it at about 75 year round.