Setting your thermostat is an important task when it comes to your home heating system. With over 30 years of experience of heating homes across Cork, we understand the importance of having an efficient home heating system for our customers and the environment. Whether you have just moved into a new home, doing some home renovations, or possibly giving your home a good spring clean, it’s always good to take the time to ensure that your home heating system is working in the best way for you. The thermostat and its settings play a key role in this task.
In this piece, we are going to share some key points to help you understand how a thermostat works. We will also cover how to make sure your thermostat is working most efficiently for you and more importantly, your pocket.
WHAT IS A THERMOSTAT
A thermostat is a set of controls that regulate the temperature in your heating system. The thermostat monitors the average temperature in your home. It then sends a signal to the boiler if the temperature goes too high or too low. You can set a preferred temperature and the thermostat works to keep the room or zone at this chosen temperature.
There are lots of different thermostats available with a variety of features and options –
- Some thermostats are wireless and battery-operated
- Others are connected with wires to the boiler itself.
- Programmable thermostats use a set schedule to run the heating at certain times of the day.
- Smart Thermostats learn and adapt to your routine
We have more energy saving tips including efficient use of thermostats on our blog Top Ten Tips for Saving On Your Energy Bills
POSITIONING OF YOUR THERMOSTAT
The position of your thermostat is vital to the efficiency of your home heating system. The role of the thermostat is to monitor the average temperature of your home and react accordingly. Therefore your thermostat has to be positioned in a spot that will most accurately reflect the average temperature of your home. External factors can affect the accurate reading so below are some points to consider when positioning your thermostat.
Points to Consider
- You should choose an interior wall for your thermostat. External walls tend to be cooler as they are exposed to the air outside.
- Pick a space that is roughly in the centre of your house. If you’re looking to get a reading of the average temperature of your home, then the heart of the house is good place to start.
- Rooms in Use – think about the rooms that you use the most. These are the rooms that you want to be at the most comfortable temperature. However, don’t position the thermostat in the kitchen . Large kitchen appliances such as the fridge and the oven that will affect the average temperature.
- Correct height – the ideal height from the ground for a thermostat is 5 feet up. Heat rises so you should not positioned it too high on the wall. It will record the temperature as being warmer than the true average temperature of the house.
- Be careful of positioning your thermostat in areas of warmth such as above a radiator or in direct sunlight.
- Also be aware of positioning in areas that are cooler such as in the hallway, near windows, above air vents or in the path of draughts.
- Avoid positioning the thermostat upstairs. Although, you may have your home divided in to zones and have multiple thermostats for downstairs and upstairs. Heat rises so upstairs rooms tend to be warmer than downstairs.
If you are a new homeowner getting to grips with your home heating system, you may want to read our guide here.
USING A SETBACK TEMPERATURE
One key way of ensuring that your home heating system is working in the most efficient way possible is having a Setback Temperature set on your thermostat. The Setback feature can be used to save energy when you plan on being away from your home for some period of time. Basically the setback temperature kick starts your heating to come on if the temperature in your home drops to the temperature you have selected. The setback temperature becomes effective during the times that no specific temperature has been programmed.
Having a setback temperature is of huge benefit. It means your house temperature is maintained at a comfortable level for the times you are out of the home. Coming home to a freezing house that then needs extra energy to heat up is not best practice. And this is how having a setback temperature saves you money on your heating bills in the long run.
This is also important for those cold winter nights too. If the house drops below your setback temperature, the heating will kick in to bring it back up to the desired temperature.
You should adjust your setback temperature at regular times throughout the year depending on the seasons. Having your house temperature set for the right level will mean you are only heating your house when you really need to. By doing this, your home heating system is working in the most efficient way.
BEST TEMPERATURES
Choosing the right heating schedule on your thermostat is personal and individual to every home. It can depend on your daily schedule in terms of work, family and school. And of course, what your requirements are in terms of hot water and heating. Having pets in your home can also be a factor to consider. You need to ensure your home is a safe space for your pets when you are out of the house. Here are some basic guidelines for best temperatures in your home.
Best Temperature for Sleeping – The ideal temperature for sleeping is between 18º – 22º Celsius. When you sleep, the set point of your body temperature drops. If it is too cold or too hot, then this can have an effect on your internal body temperature. This in turn, can result in an unsettled sleep. It’s important to note that everyone’s body temperature is different. Of course, your working pattern, whether you are working days or nights can affect your ideal sleeping temperature.
Best Temperature for Infants – According to the HSE website, the safest room temperature for an sleeping infant is between 16º – 20º . Overheating can be very dangerous for an infant. You should use a room thermometer to keep an eye on the temperature. Never place your infant to sleep near a radiator or in direct sunlight.
Best Temperature for Pets – It is recommended for households with pets to maintain the energy saving temperature of 18º – 25º Celsius in your home. Pets actually have natural coping mechanisms for slightly hotter or colder weather. For example, dogs will shed their heavier coat leading into the summer to allow for warmer temperatures. You should make sure that when you are out of the home, that your pets have sufficient water to keep hydrated.
Best Temperature for Houseplants – For those households that are houseplant lovers, the general rule of thumb is to keep the temperature between 15º to 24º Celsius. Although the temperature may be warmer outside, the air humidity is different indoors. At times of warmer weather, make sure house plants are spray misted with water to keep them healthy.
CONTACT US AT CITY OIL
We hope this blog has helped you in setting up your thermostat. We have played a key role in heating homes across Cork for over 30 years by supplying only the best quality home heating oil to our customers. If you require any guidance on your home heating oil supply, give us a call on 022 4222011 or email info@cityoil.ie to arrange a refill of home heating oil. Unsure of which fuel to choose, check out the full range of fuels available on our website www.cityoil.ie or you may want to see our parent company, www.tria.ie.