What Temperature Should I Keep My Minneapolis Home Indoors During Winter?

Maintaining a good indoor temperature and humidity level in your home during the winter here in Minneapolis can be challenging.  You can’t just set and forget the level on your furnace and your humidifier.  Both may need adjustment as the outside conditions change.  Comfort is important, but so is avoiding damage to your furnishings and things like windows and wood trim.  We have already published a number of articles on indoor humidity recommendations. Here’s one that explains why condensation forms on windows and what to do about it.  Click to read.

The bottom line?  As the outside temperature goes down, so should your indoor humidity level.  Here’s a helpful chart.

Here are some tips and guidelines to help determine optimal heating settings for your thermostat.  If you don’t have a programmable or ‘smart’ thermostat, you may want to consider investing in one – it will make your life easier!

Indoor Temperature Recommendations

You may wonder why the 68° setting is so common for the winter (ignore that in the summer; you don’t want your A/C that low.)  Turns out it’s about the best for all involved, including your wallet.  Turning it higher ends up wasting energy; lower and you’ll be uncomfortable.  (The WHO recommends an indoor temperature of at least 64° to avoid health problems.)  That being said, if you’ve got infants or elderly in your home, 70° would be a better suggestion.

• Turn down your thermostat at night.  Not only will you save on energy but you’ll also sleep better.  Multiple studies have shown people sleep more soundly when their bedrooms are on the cool side.
• If no one is home during the day, program your thermostat to lower a few degrees and then return to the 68° setting about half an hour before your expected return.  You won’t be heating a vacant house any more than you need to, and you’ll come home to a comfortable level.
• Going away on vacation?  A setting of 55° is sufficient.  Bonus points if you have a ‘smart’ thermostat – you can increase the temperature while you’re on your way back so your house will be comfy on your return.

Being able to monitor your indoor humidity level during a Minnesota winter is extremely important.  If you’ve lived here more than a few years, you already know it can be subzero for a few days and suddenly it’s above freezing outside.  Get yourself a hygrometer to monitor the humidity in your home.  Contact us and we’ll happily provide one free of charge.  As a Minneapolis replacement window company, we’re very interested in helping homeowners maintain their windows in the best shape possible.  And that includes avoiding condensation on the glass.

 

 

 

Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.