How about it? Do you think you could go the entire month of November without cranking up the thermostat? Luckily, as Charlotteans, we often experience temperatures in the seventies well through November with chilly, but not unbearable mornings, so it doesn't seem like too much of a stretch that we could reduce our heating bills by foregoing the toasty, warm home for another month. We've previously discussed cutting heating and cooling costs, so you're well aware that home energy use is a primary location for savings.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not encouraging unsafe extremes. Keep your thermostat set at a safe temperature--say--sixty degrees. That way, if an unexpected cold snap hits, you won't have to worry about your pipes freezing or Child Services showing up on your doorstep. They may complain about the cool, but they definitely won't die.
The EPA says that the average energy user can expect a 1 % decrease for every degree of reduction in temperature. If you usually like to leave your house at seventy-five degrees, you'll slash ten percent from your bill over the winter by dropping to sixty-five. Will it be uncomfortable? Probably at first, but you'll really be amazed at how quickly your body will adjust to the cooler temps. If you're still unhappy, switch to long-sleeved shirts while at home and use blankets while relaxing (Snuggie, anyone?).
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