What’s the best thermostat setting to stay warm, save money in Idaho this fall and winter?

Shaun Goodwin
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The National Weather Service in Boise forecasts the first significant snowfall in Idaho this week. The snow won’t reach as low as the valley floors — most of it will occur above 6,500 feet — but temperatures in the Treasure Valley will plummet later this week.

Low temperatures will dip below freezing and will only rise to the high 40s by Thursday, according to the Weather Service.

“We’ll have our first real winter-like system coming in Tuesday night into Wednesday night, with up to a foot of snow in the highest peaks, and somewhere around 4 inches in McCall,” Weather Service meteorologist Stephen Parker told the Idaho Statesman. “The first hard freeze looks like it will happen Thursday morning in the agricultural regions.”

As the temperature drops, hiking up your heat can also hike up your energy bill. But there are a few ways to cut costs while staying warm during the colder months.

How to save on your electric bill

According to Idaho Power, comfort and health should be the primary factor in choosing your thermostat setting. However, the utility agency does note that 68 degrees is the best temperature to set your thermostat to when in the house and 58 degrees when you’re not home. Each degree you turn the thermostat down should save you approximately 3% to 5% on your heating costs.

“It is important to note that heat pumps operate better in a smaller temperature range,” Idaho Power writes. “So if you have a heat pump, you should try to keep a steady temperature setting.”

Here are some other energy-saving tips from the U.S. Department of Energy for staying warm while cutting costs during winter:

  • Allow natural sunlight to come in during the day to keep your home warm

  • Cover drafty windows

  • Seal any air leaks around your home

  • Reduce heat loss from a fireplace

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