Does turning the heat on and off raise the bill?

Yes, frequently turning your heat completely on and off can lead to higher energy bills. While it might seem counterintuitive, allowing your home's temperature to drop significantly and then forcing your heating system to work hard to bring it back to a comfortable level often consumes more energy than maintaining a moderately lower temperature.

Why Frequent On/Off Cycling Can Increase Costs

When you completely shut off your heating system, the indoor temperature can plummet, especially in colder climates. Bringing a space back up to a comfortable temperature from a very cold state requires your furnace or heating system to operate at maximum capacity for an extended period. This surge in activity demands more energy than simply maintaining a moderately lower temperature.

Think of it this way: your heating system uses a significant amount of energy during startup and during periods of rapid temperature recovery. By constantly cycling it on and off from a full shutdown, you are repeatedly forcing it through these high-energy phases. In contrast, when you turn the heat down slightly, the system only needs to work to bridge a smaller temperature gap when you want it warmer again.

The Smarter Approach: Temperature Setbacks

Instead of turning your heat completely off, you can significantly save money by lowering your thermostat when you are not at home or during sleeping hours. This strategy is known as a temperature setback.

Benefits of a Moderate Setback:

• Reduced Energy Consumption: Your heating system doesn't have to work as hard to recover from a complete shutdown. It only needs to warm up a few degrees, not potentially twenty or more.
• System Longevity: Less strenuous operation reduces wear and tear on your HVAC system components, potentially extending their lifespan.
• Consistent Comfort: You can quickly return to a comfortable temperature without a long wait, as the house retains some residual warmth.

A common recommendation for energy savings is to set your thermostat back by 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit from your usual comfort setting for at least eight hours a day. This strategy helps reduce the rate of heat loss from your home, as the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures is smaller.

Optimizing Your Heating with Smart Thermostats

Modern technology offers effective solutions for managing your heating schedule without constant manual adjustments. Smart and programmable thermostats can automate temperature setbacks, ensuring efficiency even when you forget.

How Smart Thermostats Help:

• Programmable Schedules: Easily set different temperatures for various times of day and days of the week to align with your routine.
• Geofencing: Some models can detect when you leave or approach your home using your smartphone's location and adjust the temperature accordingly.
• Remote Control: Adjust settings from anywhere using your smartphone, providing flexibility if your plans change.
• Energy Reports: Gain insights into your energy usage patterns, helping you identify further saving opportunities.

For example, you could program your thermostat to drop to 60°F (15.5°C) when everyone leaves for work/school and then rise to 68°F (20°C) about 30 minutes before you typically return, ensuring comfort without wasted energy.

Understanding Heat Loss and Recovery

A key principle in home heating efficiency is that heat loss is continuous, and the rate of heat loss is proportional to the temperature difference between inside and outside. Therefore, maintaining a lower indoor temperature when possible directly reduces the amount of heat escaping your home. While recovering from a setback requires a temporary increase in energy use, the overall energy savings from reducing heat loss during the setback period typically outweigh this.

Here’s a comparison of common heating strategies:

For more detailed information on efficient heating strategies, you can explore resources from organizations like the U.S. Department of Energy or ENERGY STAR.