You might have done everything from turn your heat down to unplug your appliances in order to save on utility bills.
But what about the thermostat? Even if it is a fancy programmable one, if it is in the wrong place, it might be costing you money.
Make sure your thermostat isn't in direct sunlight, because it will be hot and won't turn on when you are cold. Similarly, it should not be near a door– extreme temperature swings from opening and closing the door could cause the thermostat to start heating or cooling regardless of the temperature of the house.
Don't place televisions or lamps next to the thermostat. Those devices generate enough heat to trigger your thermostat.
In fact, the best place by far to put a thermostat is near the middle of a wall in a center room where you spend a lot of time, like the living room. In this space, assuming it is not by the television, it will more accurately sense the air temperature where you actually are.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
