Heat Details Please

So this is our first winter in our home. We are in a cape with 3 zone heating (basement, 1st, 2nd floors). The main floors have an electric thermostat that we can set the temp for the schedule we want. I have no idea....

so, at what temp do you have your heat set? Do you lower it at night or when you ae not home? Do you ever turn it off completely? We have the basement off, but at some point will we need to turn it on so pipes dont freeze?

Our previous place was always HOT so I am not used to waking up and being cold :(

PS- We have Oil if that makes a difference

Re: Heat Details Please

Temp settings a purely for your comfort, so while you'll get an approximate temp range from here, it really depends on what you and your family are comfortable with.

Never turn it completely off. There's a risk of pipes freezing.
Since DW is home with the kids, I don't turn it down that much during the day. We have it set for 68 during the day, and at night, the downstairs goes to 62 and upstairs, where all the bedrooms are, goes to 64 overnight.

If we all were out of the house during the day, I would drop that temp as well. Keep in mind that it takes time to bring the temp back up, so have it turn back up an hour or so before people will either wake up or come home.

And of course, adjust as you see fit. It may take you several weeks or more to find out what really works for you.

Re: Heat Details Please

Thank you, this is helpful. What about the basement zone. Do I really need to keep it heated?

Re: Heat Details Please

We are in the same situation. We have it around 62. Funny I never thought about the basement because we arent really using it but I guess I should have it on? Seems like such a waste but I don't want pipes freezing either...

Re: Heat Details Please

Re: Heat Details Please

we only have 1 zone right now and we are at work all day.
when we are home: 67
sleeping: 64
out: 62

thinking of upping the 67 to 68 tho.

when we add the basement zone, we will just put in on when we are down there.

Re: Heat Details Please

this year i reduce the temps on our thermo to keep bills low:
wake: 67
Leave: 65
Arrive: 66
Sleep: 65

Our arrival seems a bit odd but we have huge windows facing the west so the sun sets and warms the house and typically its at 68 but we set it to 65 and bump it of need be.

We also have a fireplace so when its really cold we usually make a fire after work and keep it going until bedtime and it gets the house up to 72-73 for most of the night until about 3AM then it gets cool again.

Message edited 11/3/2010 2:02:56 PM.

Re: Heat Details Please

I keep my basement off, unless we are in the middle of a really cold time. It doesn't get super cold down there. Once in awhile when I go down to do laundry I will turn it on for a little while.

Upstairs, we only have 1 zone for main floor and bedrooms (hope to change that soon) but I keep it set at 66 during the day, I don't like it hot in the house and if need be will put it up a degree or two ...... I am home most ofmthe day with the kids. 65 at night. If we are going to be gone for the day I put it down to 62.

Re: Heat Details Please

We keep the heat low (for now).

We have three zones.
Basement is turned off.
The other two zones follow more or less the same schedule.
Wake: 64
Leave: 60
Arrive: 64
Sleep: 60