It’s starting to get chilly where I live in New York, especially at night, which means I’m about to get into another thermostat war with my wife and kids. I grew up in a cold, drafty house, you see, and my parents knew how to stretch a dollar, so there were mornings when I could see my dad’s breath while he brewed a pot of coffee at the kitchen counter. Now that I’m the one paying the bills, that’s how I like it.
Which is why, when we finally turn the heating system on in my home for the winter, I don’t want to see the thermostat anywhere over 68° F. And during the overnight hours, I like to drop it down to 60° F. When my family balks, I tell them that’s what blankets and flannel pajamas are for. Plus slippers and a robe for frigid winter mornings.
They don’t seem to agree, which is why I’ll come home some winter nights to a balmy 76° F. “It’s like a sauna in here,” I say to the dog, since she’s apparently the only one who listens to me anymore. Then I surreptitiously drop the thermostat back down to 68° F.
Not wanting this thermostat war to continue all winter, my family and I eventually agree on the middle ground, keeping the temperature at 72° F during the waking hours. That, in the spirit of compromise, is the right winter temperature for most households, at least in the opinion of this home expert. That said, I still drop the temperature down by 10 degrees or so before bed and anytime we’ll be out of the house for an extended period, since those adjustments can lower annual heating costs by about 10%, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
More winter heating tips
To help keep the home cozy without cranking up the heat, here are a few simple tactics to deploy throughout the winter:
Harness the sun
During daylight hours, open curtains, especially those on south-facing windows that get the most sun. Close them at night to reduce the chill from cold windows.
Seal drafty windows and doors
To find the biggest leaks in your home, move a candle or incense stick around door and window frames, ideally on a windy day. If smoke blows sideways, that means you have a sizable air leak that should be plugged with a combination of caulk, expanding foam sealant, and weather-stripping.
Switch up your ceiling fans
Make sure the fan blades are spinning clockwise and at a low speed, to create an updraft that bounces warm air off the ceiling and back into the room.
Change the air filter
If your heating system uses forced air, replacing the filter will help it run better, distributing even heat throughout the home.
Close the fireplace damper
Unless a fire is burning, always close the damper. When it’s in the open position, it will allow heated air to escape up the chimney.
Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.
