When to Turn on the Heating System in Your Home?
The trickiest feature of the Fall is the weather. You can feel the sun’s warmth in the morning, and by the evening, you will be wearing a jacket. The question arises when to turn on the heating?
In such a changing climate, deciding whether you should turn on the heater or not can get really fiddly. But keeping homes at the right temperature is important because it has a big effect on your daily life, health, sleep, and other things.
Having your home set to an appropriate temperature makes you feel more comfortable. After all, who likes to compromise on in-home comfort? Bedrooms should be at the best temperature if you need a peaceful night’s sleep without waking up either due to sweating or shivering. Too cold or too hot a home’s temperature can impact health, especially that of children and the elderly.
When to switch from cooling to heating?
The very first thing you must know is that “outdoor temperature should never let you decide whether you need to turn on the heat or not.” The indoor temperature must be your criterion for switching to heating. Several factors are related to this change from cooling to heating, but the standard practice is to switch on the heat in mid-to-late October, right when fall starts.
The timing can vary from year to year, but fall is the right time to turn on the thermostats. As far as the temperature is concerned, it must be less than 64.4 degrees F.
When is the best time to turn on the heater?
There are multiple factors, but the top two are mentioned below:
Indoor Temperatures
As per the WHO (World Health Organization), the standard temperature for healthy indoors is a minimum of 64.4°F. It means that you should turn on the heat whenever your home temperature falls below 64°F. In the case of having babies, children, or older people, the threshold is changed to 69.8°F.
Personal Preference
Apart from typical standards, the heat can be adjusted based on your personal experience and body responses. Some people don’t feel cold, so you can spend the fall without turning on the thermostat. And, some might feel uncomfortably cold even at higher temperatures. Some people like to use heated gadgets like heated blankets or heated mattress pads.
You can turn on your furnace when your feet, hands, or nose get cold, regardless of the outside temperature. After all, you would not like shivering in your home!
The best temperature to set your thermostat in Fall
The ideal temperature For Fall to set your thermostat is within the range of 65 to 68 degrees F. It is the most appropriate temperature point to keep you toasty and warm without making you feel very hot or suffocated. We recommend keeping it at 68°F.
FAQs
What To Do Before Switching From Cool To Heat?
- Schedule a time to get your HVAC system inspected, washed, cleaned, and serviced thoroughly. It will help lubricate the equipment, check for any wear and tear, evaluate gas pressures, and ensure that the ignitor is working accurately.
- Don’t forget to change, wash or replace your dirty filters or affect the quality of air delivery.
- It is advised to seal all your doors and windows gaps before turning on the heat. To save your money and future regrets, use a little weather-stripping as it will stop heat leakage along with minimizing the entrance of cold air from the outside.
- Look out for the detailed heating inspection of your HVAC system.
- Let the heating system warm up first. It is done by raising the heat level after short intervals. It will also help you learn about the temperature setting and help you choose the most appropriate temperature level.
- Change your furniture placement if it is blocking the heating vents. To enjoy a consistent warm airflow, make sure radiators, and all vents are clear, open, and have nothing in their way.
How To Turn On Heated Floors?
- Once you have installed the thermostat, it is time to turn on the breaker.
- You will see the thermostat screen light up
- Activate the floor heating system
- Set the basic parameters of heat and air, flow, and range of the thermostat. The better option is to pick a steady temperature for your initial heating time in manual mode.
It comes with a reset button that you can press anytime to change the settings.
Whether you live in the UK, USA, or Canada, the best time to turn on the heating system is when the indoor temperature falls below 64°F.
If you plan to spend some time outdoors, do not forget to wear proper gloves, heated insoles, and electric vests.
Additional Questions
When is the optimal time to introduce heat into my home?
Identifying the ideal time to heat your home boils down to the prevailing conditions inside your home. Various expert sources suggest that you should consider turning on your home’s heating system when the indoor temperature drops to around 64 degrees Fahrenheit or below. It’s, however, worth noting that if there are vulnerable individuals in the house, such as elders, sick people or kids, you may need to have the heating on even when the indoor temperatures are slightly above the recommended 64 degrees Fahrenheit threshold. In my personal experience, I also adjust the thermostat to a lower setting as I head to bed, which creates an ideal sleeping environment by somewhat reducing the indoor temperature. Activating your heating system is entirely subjective and depends on the people in the house and their comfort preferences.
What’s the ideal way to adjust my heating system?
Properly setting your heating system is paramount both for your comfort and the energy efficiency of your home. I typically advise setting your central heating system to start warming your home about half an hour before you wake up. Similarly, it’s advisable to program it to shut down half an hour before you head to bed. If there’s no one in the house during the day or if you can comfortably do without heating during this period, then make sure you’ve programmed the heating system to be inactive during this period. Over the years, I’ve found this strategy to be very effective in balancing between maintaining a comfortable indoor atmosphere and making energy savings. Remember, the way you set your heating system has a direct impact on your home’s energy consumption.
When is it appropriate to turn my heating on and off?
While it may seem like a good idea to have your heating running at a low level all day, my experience has taught me that the best approach is to use heating only when you need it. This means turning it off when you’re not in the room, whether it’s your bedroom, the hallway or any other room. I must admit, I had reservations about this strategy initially. However, over time, the energy savings I’ve realized have been significant enough to make me a believer. The simple practice of turning off your heating when it’s not needed can lead to significant energy savings.
How cold is too cold for a house?
While individual tolerance to cold varies, in general, you should be keen on maintaining a house temperature that doesn’t fall below 63 °F (17 °C) during winter. As an interesting fact from my research, indoor temperatures below 62 °F (16 °C) can actually increase your blood pressure as a process known as blood “thickening” is induced by the chilly conditions. Remember, ultimately, the most important thing is not just keeping your house warm, but the comfort and health of people living in it. Anything below 62 °F can have direct health implications, so it’s crucial to maintain optimum temperatures in the house.
Annika Ramos is a physiotherapist with a passion for helping people recover from injuries and illnesses. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring her creative side through various craft projects.