Tips to Create a Personalized Heating Schedule 

During wintertime in Bellevue or a surrounding neighborhood, it’s a constant struggle between wanting to crank the heat while trying to save energy. Some homeowners choose to bundle up in hats and coats indoors to save energy. But surely there has to be another way… 

And there is! With a smart thermostat system, you can create a personalized heating schedule that keeps your home cozy when you need it—and saves energy when you don’t. 

Today’s smart thermostats can even integrate with home control systems, letting you remotely adjust your heating system and schedules. Here’s how we recommend you use thermostat scheduling to stay comfortable and energy-efficient in your Bellevue-area home. 

SEE ALSO: 5 Common Heating Problems and How to Prevent Them 

30 Mins–1 Hour Before Wakeup 

The time it takes to warm a room depends on your home’s energy system and insulation. For instance, a well-insulated room with double or triple-glazed windows and well-sealed doors will warm much more quickly than a drafty house. 

In general, central heating systems with furnaces and heat pumps can warm a room in anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour. So to start your day feeling warm and cozy, we recommend scheduling your smart thermostat to kick on an hour or thirty minutes before you wake up. 

This way, it’s warm enough to get out of bed comfortably—and you won’t cling to your blankets pressing the snooze button. Your bedroom and other necessary rooms will be well-warmed for you to get dressed and prepared for the day. 

Leaving for Work 

If you depart the house at the same time each day, you can set your thermostat to reduce the temperature by a few degrees  at your precise exit time. This way, you won’t accidentally leave the heat on too high, and you’ll avoid wasting energy and costs. 

If you have pets at home, you can easily program certain rooms to stay warm and comfortable for them. Be sure not to fully shut your system off while you’re away, though. If you do, your heating system will use even more energy to heat the whole home back up! Keep a lower, consistent temperature while you’re away instead of a fully shutdown system.

30 Mins–1 Hour Before Return

Avoid returning to a frozen house by scheduling the heat to increase by a few degrees before you leave work. You won’t use energy fully heating your home all day, but will still be welcomed by a warm, cozy home.  

Bedtime 

Studies show we sleep better in slightly colder environments, around 60 to 65 degrees fahrenheit. While you don’t want to be freezing, schedule your heating to lower slightly while you’re asleep to save energy and ensure you don’t toss and turn on the heat. 

Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat Today 

Tired of overpaying on energy costs? Looking for a convenient way to automate heating this winter?

Contact Bob’s Heating to upgrade your thermostat or HVAC system in Bellevue and surrounding areas.