When the winter in the Midwest is in full swing, it brings freezing conditions. Blasts of cold, dry air test your heating system as you turn up the thermostat to warm your home. What should your house temperature be during a winter freeze to stay warm but also keep your heating costs down?
What Temperature Should Your House Be During a Freeze?
Winter Weather and House Temperatures During Freeze
Keeping your home warm in the winter is essential for one’s comfort and also to keep pipes from freezing. However, you should be mindful of energy consumption as well. According to the Department of Energy, the optimal temperature setting for homes during freezing weather is 68 °F. The temperature may need to be slightly higher for homes with young or elderly people.
A National Renewable Energy Laboratory study shows that homeowners prefer thermostat settings between 67 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit during cold weather.
However, it’s a speculative answer, and one homeowner might prefer a different setting to another.
Excess Heat
Heating your home to temperatures over 72 °F wastes heat sources and energy and sends your heating bill through the roof. When the heat reaches this range, it affects your home’s relative humidity (RH) and dries out your skin and wooden flooring systems.
The optimal RH for homes should be between 55% and 60% to avoid overly dry or moist conditions.
- If it’s over this range, you create ideal conditions for mold growth.
- If it’s under the range, the dry air causes health problems like respiratory issues.
What Is the Low-End Temperature Range for Your House During Winter Freeze?
Everyone has a different temperature preference; some like it warm, while others prefer milder conditions. The bottom-end range for your thermostat setting should be 63 °F. Colder temperatures, under 62 °F, can cause thickening of your blood and elevate your blood pressure.
Cold homes are more inclined to become damp, resulting in mold growth, which gets into the HVAC vents. When spores spread through the air ducts into rooms, it causes respiratory infections. Residents may develop mold sickness in severe mold infestations, requiring medical attention.
Signs Your Home Is Getting Too Cold
If temperatures inside your home start dropping too low, there are often noticeable signs. Be on the lookout for:
• Frost or condensation on windows and interior walls
• Rooms that feel drafty or colder than the thermostat suggests
• Pipes that feel extremely cold or start to sweat
• Floors that are unusually cold, especially near exterior walls
• Your breath being visible indoors in certain areas
• HVAC working overtime or producing odd noises
• Mold or mildew beginning to form from changing humidity
If you spot any of these issues, take steps to retain heat and prevent further drop in temperature before more serious damage occurs. If you’ve noticed cool air sneaking in, it might be time to address those problem spots. Take a look at our tips for sealing windows and doors to help keep the cold out.
What Temperature Can a House Be at Before Pipes Freeze?
Frozen pipes are possible when freezing temperatures arrive. To keep your water pipes from freezing, ensure that your house temperature during a freeze is above 55 degrees. Also, drip cold water in the farthest faucet from your main valve to move water throughout the pipes and prevent them from freezing.
Remember to keep the water shut off to outdoor faucets before the first freeze to avoid burst pipes.
Additional Tips to Prevent Frozen Pipes:
Tip 1: Open cabinet doors under sinks in the kitchen and bathrooms to allow warm air to circulate around plumbing.
Tip 2: Insulate exposed pipes, especially in basements, attics, garages, and crawl spaces, using foam pipe insulation or heat tape.
Tip 3: Seal cracks or openings in walls near pipes with caulk or spray foam to keep cold air out.
Tip 4: Keep interior doors open to help heat circulate evenly throughout your home.
Pipes are most at risk when the outside temperature drops below 20°F for an extended period. Staying proactive with these precautions can help avoid costly repairs from burst pipes and water damage.
Assess Room Temperatures
When you know the proper thermostat setting to match your heating requirements, assess your home’s HVAC or heating system. Swings in outdoor temperatures can make it challenging to manage the thermostat setting. This requires you to adjust it to the exterior climate to balance out the interior temperature.
Some rooms might be warmer than others, leaving you confused about the different temperature gradients across your home. Typically, air leaks in ducting and seals around windows are the most common culprits of these temperature variations.
To even out the temperature, prepare your home by leaving the doors to rooms open to ensure adequate airflow throughout the house. Closing the doors may create hot or cold pockets. Zone units should be installed in an HVAC system for effective and efficient monitoring.
Keep Garage Doors Closed
A lot of heat can be lost through the garage. Lack of insulation in the garage, freezing winter weather, and blowing winds can make it more expensive to heat your home.
To avoid heat loss through your garage:
- Only keep garage doors to move cars in or out
- Insulate the walls, ceiling, and garage door
- Use weather stripping around the door to create a seal against drafts
Ensure The HVAC Is Efficient
When was the last time you changed the HVAC filter? Regular filter replacement is essential to maintain the system’s optimal performance during the winter. An ineffective filtration results in dust accumulation in the home, presenting a severe fire hazard.
The National Fire Protection Association states that 6,000 fires are started by HVAC systems each year. Malfunctioning and poorly maintained chimney systems can spark the dust, causing a fire. Dust accumulation also creates a health hazard, increasing mites in the home, which spark allergies.
Heat pumps lose their efficiency in temperatures of 32 °F or lower. This temperature activates the additional heating elements, resulting in sky-high electrical bills. Follow these helpful tips to save money and maintain house temperatures during a freeze.
Staying Warm in Your Home During the Cold Winter Months
Follow these tips to keep your home warm and safe in the winter. Temperature settings are mostly personal preference. However, play it safe and keep your family happy and healthy during the year’s cold months.
Discount Window and Door of Omaha – Window Replacement Company
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