News 40 Weather Reports: the great thermostat debate heats up as temperatures cool down

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – South-central Kentucky has enjoyed a short stretch of unseasonably warm November days, but that’s about to change. A couple weekend cold fronts will send temperatures plunging, and with it, the return of a familiar household argument: What temperature should you set the thermostat?

As the fall warmth gives way to frosty mornings, local HVAC experts say this is the time when furnaces fire up for the first time in months, and tempers sometimes rise right along with the temperature.

“Before you turn on the heat, make sure your home’s sealed up,” said Robert Neyenhaus, Vice President of Stewart Richey Service Group. “If windows or doors leak, you’re just throwing money out the window.”

Neyenhaus says homeowners can save a surprising amount of energy with small adjustments. He recommends keeping homes around 68 degrees during the day and dropping a few degrees at night. Those who lower the thermostat while they sleep can save close to 10 percent on their energy bills.

“When that first demand hits, we get a lot more calls,” Neyenhaus said. “Systems haven’t been used for months, so that first stretch really works them.”

Around Bowling Green, residents are bracing for the drop in temperature, and weighing their own comfort levels. Some prefer the cozy warmth of a toasty house, while others would rather grab a blanket and keep the heat low.

“I’d say 69 or 70 feels right,” said resident Jayden.

“I like it colder, 67 is perfect for sleeping under a blanket,” added Mackenzie.

For Oscar Johnson, comfort comes with conservation. “I keep mine at 68 degrees all winter,” he said. “If it’s cold, I just add another quilt.”

Neyenhaus says that balance, staying comfortable while staying efficient, is exactly what heating systems need during Kentucky’s quick weather swings. He also recommends homeowners check filters, close crawl space vents, and seal any drafts to help their units run smoothly.

And even for the experts, the thermostat battle doesn’t stop at work. “At my house it’s 70 during the day, 65 at night, and my wife wishes it were 72,” Neyenhaus said with a laugh. “So the debate exists even there.”

As overnight lows dip into the 20s this weekend, experts say a little preparation can go a long way, and for those keeping score, the great thermostat debate probably won’t cool off anytime soon.