Save Money On Home Heating

What's the right temperature to heat your home in winter?

The right temperature can range anywhere from 63 to 73 degrees F (or 17 to 23 degrees Celsius). The “right” temperature is based on personal preference. Reducing the temperature during sleep is optimal for many people.

The best way to hold the temperature in a room is to ensure that your humidifier is running. Alberta winters are dry. Moist air contains water vapour, and water is excellent at storing heat. The humid air can store heat and release it slowly.

Dry air heats up and cools down quickly. Low humidity can increase your heating costs.

(Be mindful that too much humidity can cause condensation on windows and lead to mold growth.)

Maintenance Tips for your HVAC system during the Winter

#1. Schedule a furnace inspection before the winter season.

An HVAC specialist can test the furnace components and discover if they are within the manufactures specifications. If they are not, this can indicate the beginning of a problem. Catching a small issue with your furnace before it turns into a major problem will save you money. This includes checking your humidifier.

#2. Clean your furnace and air ducts. (These are two different things.)

Furnace cleaning is important maintenance because it will extend the life of your furnace. Dust and dirt can add an extra load to your furnace and impact the electrical work within your furnace. An 8th” of dust on the blower fan can reduces the efficiency drastically. We recommend a furnace cleaning every couple of years, but large households with pets may need a furnace cleaning annually. Schedule a call with us today to clean or inspect your furnace.

Duct cleaning is limited to cleaning the air ducts throughout your home. This service is not provided by an HVAC technician, and though it will help maintain clean air through your home, it is no substitute for a furnace inspection.

How can I save money heating my home?

In winter seasons, turn your thermostat down a couple of degrees Celsius when you leave the house during your workday. Reducing the temperature by even a couple of degrees can save on utility bills significantly over time.

2. A programmable thermostat, when installed correctly can allow you to effortlessly reduce the heat at night or when you are away. Over time, the savings on your utility bills can be significant.

3. Schedule an annual furnace inspection with a trusted HVAC specialist. Most often, a furnace stops working in a cold spell or blizzard when the demands put on a furnace are too great. This is the worst time to have a furnace emergency because HVAC companies are backed up with emergency repairs.

4. Keep your furnace as clean as possible to increase efficiency. In addition to changing furnace filters more often, schedule a furnace clean. Most furnaces have an electrical component, and like all electronics, dust is an enemy!

5. Adjust the humidity levels in your home during dry periods. The moist air will help hold the heat and reduce the heating cost. When is the last time you checked your humidifier? Is it working properly? Is it scaled with hot water?

6. Close and seal off drafts that allow cold air to enter your home. (Ensure your thermostat is not situated near a drafty area of your home.)

7. Ensure furniture or household items are not blocking the heat vents or air intake. This is important because to heat your home properly, the air needs to circulate as evenly as possible.

8. Run the furnace fan. Typically, newer furnaces are equipped with a DC fan motor, which is inexpensive to run. (Not only will the air be pushed into all the areas of the home, as the air is recycled, it will be cleaned.)

9. Contact your energy provider to discuss rates, like locking in or floating to a fixed rate. They can offer advice and provide information to help you make the best decision for your household.

10. Beware of the cost of space heaters. Space heaters use electricity. Most Albertans have a natural gas furnace, which is relatively inexpensive to run. Electric space heaters demand a lot of electricity to produce heat. If a space heater is needed, only run it for short periods of time.

Where's the best place to put the thermostat?

The ideal place for a thermostat is on an inside wall, where the air is circulating. Installing the thermostat away from doors, drafts, and heat vents will provide a more accurate temperature measurement.

The optimal height to mount your thermostat is between 4.5 to 5 feet. This will most likely provide the most accurate temperature sensing.

What is the best temperature to set my thermostat?

Another important factor to consider when heating a home is humidity. Moisture in the air can carry heat, creating a warming effect. In the winter, most often a humidifier should run between 30% to 40%. (This may vary depending on the climate and humidity level of the area.) In Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, where temperatures are colder much of the year, and our air is dry (think Vancouver), it is important to add moisture to the air.

Humidity is measured in RH (Relative Humidity), which is a ratio of current moisture to maximum possible moisture at a given temperature. (RH is expressed as a percentage.)

Recommended Indoor Humidity Levels for Calgary Homes

Season	Outdoor Temperature	Recommended Humidity (RH)	Why It Matters
Winter	0°C to -10°C	35–40%	Comfortable warmth without window condensation
Winter	-10°C to -20°C	30–35%	Reduces frost and moisture buildup
Winter	Below -20°C	25–30%	Prevents window damage and hidden moisture issues
Summer	Any typical summer temp	40–50%	Improves comfort, reduces mold, helps A/C efficiency

💡 Tip: If you notice condensation on windows in winter, your indoor humidity is set too high.

Can Smart Home thermostats save money?

Smart Thermostats are great because they allow you to easily change and manage the temperature of your home remotely from your phone, saving you money on your utility bills.

Smart thermostats are especially helpful when you are on vacation. Managing the home temperature from a distance can avoid disaster. We have witnessed situations where homeowners go on vacation and come home to a plumbing disaster. If the furnace stops working, pipes can burst.

“Most recently, we had a client go on vacation for two weeks. His furnace gave out during a blizzard when he was on vacation. Every toilet in his home was cracked, and he had extensive plumbing damage throughout his home.”

Smart thermostats can be harmful to your furnace if they are not installed correctly. We have come across clients who installed the Smart thermostat incorrectly and wrecked components of their furnace.

Does setting the thermostat too high or too low affect winter utility bills?

Too High

The risks associated with setting the thermostat too high in the winter are the added utility cost and energy consumption. Be sure to install the thermostat sensor away from drafts, doors and heat vents to ensure that the thermostat sensor is providing an accurate read.

Too Low

The risk associated with setting the thermostat too low is potentially cause a pipe burst. Likely, most of the water lines in your home are in an insulated area. Often, there are a few pipes in colder areas or less insulated areas that are more at risk for freezing and bursting. In this situation, reducing the thermostat setting significantly could lead to a freezing pipe. If you are going to be away from home or have a vacation property, be mindful of the risks when reducing the temperature for extended periods.