Setback thermostats -- how low can you go?
I have installed a programmable thermostat for use with my oil furnace. They are supposed be more efficient and save money on oil. What is the optimal temperature that they should be programmed to? For example, should the temperature be programmed at a constant level? If there is too much difference between daytime and nighttime does this reduce the efficiency. At present I generally set it for 70 degrees when we are home and have it down to about 55 at night. I think this big gap is causing me to lose efficiency.
Expert
Maestro
As you can see in the attached articles, there is no such thing as too low a temperature in terms of energy conservation. The bigger the spread, the better. Not only are you saving energy when the temperature is down, but your furnace runs most efficiently when it is bringing the temperature back up, because it is running continuously. (It's a little bit like your fuel economy during highway driving versus stop and go traffic.) The limiting factor is condensation. As you lower the indoortemperature, the relative humiditygoes up. This makes your house more prone to condensation on windows. Therefore, goas low as you choose without creating condensation. This low temperature setting will change throughout the winter as the outdoor air gets colder, which in turn makes your windows colder. You may be able to get away with a 20 set back in the late fall and early spring, but you may only get away with a 10 or 15 setback in the dead of winter.
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