You could save hundreds of dollars on your annual heating bill this winter by turning down your thermostat a little.
By lowering your thermostat 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit from its normal settings for eight hours a day, you can save 10% annually on your heating bill. according to the US Department of Energy’s Energy Saver Program.
“In winter, the lower the indoor temperature, the slower the heat loss. So the longer your house stays at low temperatures, the more energy you save, because your house has lost less energy than it would have at high temperatures,” the DOE said in a report.
Specifically, the department recommends people set their thermostats 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit from their usual settings for eight hours a day.
Last winter, oil remained the most expensive fuel to heat an average household in Massachusetts, costing $2,237 throughout the season. Meanwhile, propane had cost $1,583 and natural gas heating was $840, according to the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources.
The state Department of Energy expects heating costs to rise this year as two of Massachusetts’ major energy providers – Eversource and National Grid – raise their energy prices.
The state projects propane costs will increase 2%; heating oil costs will increase by 17% and natural gas costs will increase by nearly 29%.
In Massachusetts, homeowners are required by law to heat their residential properties to at least 68 degrees during the day and 64 degrees at night starting September 15, according to the Massachusetts State Health Code.
For residents looking to save some extra cash, Mass Save — an energy efficiency program sponsored by several major Massachusetts energy providers — offers rebates of up to $10,000 on energy efficient appliances.