Boosting Winter Efficiency: Simple Thermostat Tricks to Save on Heating Bills in Fort Collins

Throughout the winter, local residents can enjoy the sight of beautiful snow cascading across the foothills. At night, the area’s temperature swings bring negative temperatures and bitter cold. 

In this kind of environment, the furnace seems to run non-stop. When January arrives, opening your Xcel Energy bill can bring anxiety. 

While heating accounts for a major share of energy costs in Northern Colorado, there are ways you can manage your energy expenditures. Your thermostat serves as more than just an on-and-off switch. It is the brain of your home and a powerful tool for wintertime cash savings. By learning how to adjust winter thermostat settings in Fort Collins, you can ensure your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is operating as efficiently as possible.

At Balance Point Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, our technicians go beyond just fixing broken furnaces. With our help, local homeowners can maximize their comfort and energy savings throughout the year.

Crucial Warning: The “Frozen Pipe” Threshold 

While no one likes a high energy bill, it’s important to NEVER turn your heating system completely off in the winter. Even if you are gone on vacation, your thermostat needs to be set at 55°F to keep your walls and pipes from freezing. Temperatures can drop below zero overnight in Fort Collins, so low indoor temperatures can quickly result in burst pipes and catastrophic water damage.

The DOs (Optimization & Strategy)

Whether you’re struggling with Old Town vs. new construction insulation or are feeling chilly from the Chinook winds, there are a few things you can do to ensure your home stays warm this winter.

DO Embrace the “Setback” Strategy

If you’re trying to figure out how to save on heating bills in winter, one easy solution is to use the setback strategy. According to the Department of Energy, you can save up to 10% per year on heating costs by lowering your indoor temperature by 7°F to 10°F for just eight hours per day. 

In practice, you can try setting your thermostat at 68°F when you are awake and at home. If you are at work or asleep, you can drop the thermostat to around 60°F to 62°F.

DO Align with Fort Collins Time-of-Day (TOD) Rates

Another important consideration is Fort Collins Utilities’ time-of-day rates. Unlike some utility providers, Fort Collins Utilities sets different prices based on the time of day. During on-peak hours, such as wintertime evenings, electricity costs more. 

One of the easiest energy-saving heating tips is to pre-heat your home slightly extra before peak hours begin. Once peak hours start, let the thermostat and HVAC system coast on the residual heat from the off-peak hours. By optimizing time-of-day (TOD) pricing, you can save money without making any major HVAC upgrades.

DO Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

While updating your winter thermostat settings in Fort Collins is a good first step, you can improve your energy efficiency even more by upgrading to a smart thermostat. Human error, such as forgetting to turn the thermostat dial down, can significantly impact how efficient your thermostat can be.

By investing in Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats, like Ecobee or Nest, you can reduce how much you pay to Fort Collins Utilities each month. A smart thermostat installation in Northern Colorado has geofencing capabilities, so it can instantly lower the temperature when your phone leaves the house. When you are close to returning, it can automatically raise the temperature again.

The DON’Ts: Myths & Bad Habits

Whether you’re concerned about a heating system short cycling or searching for the ideal house temperature in winter, optimize your energy performance by avoiding the following bad habits.

DON’T “Crank It” to Heat Faster

The Myth: Cranking your heat up to 80°F will make your 60°F house warm up faster than simply turning it to 68°F.

This myth is entirely untrue. In Fort Collins, most homes are equipped with single-stage furnaces that only function at one speed. If your furnace is already operating at 100%, raising the temperature can’t make it work harder. Instead, it just increases the likelihood that you forget and leave it on, which can waste energy and lead to overheating.

To avoid unnecessary energy costs, increased wear, and furnace repairs, set the dial to the temperature you actually want. By being patient, you can save money in the long run.

DON’T Micromanage the Temperature

Myth: Making constant changes to your thermostat will save you money.

Unfortunately, constantly overriding your programmed schedule is unlikely to save you money on energy costs. Instead, it will likely make your furnace short cycle, which is when it turns on and off in short succession. When this occurs, it causes increased wear on your ignition components, higher energy costs, and leads to more frequent repairs.

One of the best and easiest furnace efficiency tips is to pick a comfortable temperature and stick to it. Additionally, use the “Hold” feature as little as possible. 

DON’T Ignore the Sensor Placement

Myth: It doesn’t matter where the sensor goes.

If your thermostat is in the wrong location, it can influence how often your furnace kicks on. For example, a thermostat near a drafty window will sense a temperature that is colder than the house actually is. If the thermostat is next to your stove or in direct sunlight, it’ll shut off the heater right away because it will be hotter than the rest of your home.

Besides deciding between an Ecobee vs. Nest installation or programmable vs. smart thermostats, you also have to choose the right thermostat location. If you think your current thermostat is in the wrong spot, reach out to Balance Point to get it relocated or to have remote sensors installed.

Why Fort Collins Winters Challenge Your Thermostat

When it comes to winter thermostat settings in Fort Collins, finding the right temperature can be challenging. Thanks to the Chinook effect, temperatures can swing by 40°F during the same 24-hour period. By investing in a programmable thermostat, you can navigate these swings better.

Besides the Chinook winds, Fort Collins also has dry air. This makes the temperature feel colder than it actually is. By scheduling indoor air quality upgrades, such as a whole-home humidifier, you can make your home feel comfortable at a lower thermostat setting and get smaller Poudre Valley REA bills each month.

DIY Checks You Can Safely Try

Whether you’re struggling to find the best temperature for sleep in winter or worried about preventing frozen pipes in Fort Collins, there are a few DIY checks you can perform to ensure your thermostat is working at its best.

• DO: Remember to change your thermostat batteries at least once a year. When batteries become weak, it can cause relay failures.
• DO: Periodically, dust the inside of the thermostat as gently as possible. This helps to remove any grime that could be blocking the thermostat’s sensor.
• DO: Change your furnace filter every 30 to 90 days. Clogged filters cause overheating and can damage your furnace. 
• DON’T: Never try to rewire your old thermostat setup with a new smart thermostat without checking for a C-wire. If you do, it can blow the fuses.

When to Call a Professional

Before you head off on CSU winter break or schedule your next family gathering, make sure to schedule winter HVAC maintenance. Our team can inspect your furnace, recommend drafty window solutions, install thermostat upgrades, and perform important furnace repairs so that you’re ready for winter.

HVAC units can be complicated, so we recommend always reaching out for professional help in the following situations.

• Thermostat Installations: If you’re going to upgrade to a smart thermostat and don’t have any C-wire infrastructure, it’s time to get professional help.
• Calibration Issues: When your thermostat says it is at the right temperature but your home is freezing, the thermostat needs to be recalibrated or replaced.
• Short Cycling: Frequent on-and-off cycling is a sign that furnace repairs are needed.

By working with Balance Point Heating, Cooling & Plumbing, you can get your home’s thermal envelope and heating controls professionally evaluated. With the right HVAC services and winter thermostat settings in Fort Collins, you can maximize every dollar you spend on your natural gas or electricity bills.

Improve Your Energy Efficiency This Winter In Fort Collins

Having an energy-efficient home doesn’t mean you have to suffer in the cold. Through smart management and the right furnace efficiency tips, Fort Collins homeowners can keep their home warm and their wallets full.

Ready to upgrade to a smart thermostat or schedule your next furnace tune-up? Contact Balance Point Heating, Cooling & Plumbing today and learn how we can help you stay warm all winter long.