Temperature Setback Amount

Q. We have a two story home with zoned heating. Our first floor is 2700 square feet with a 2 story open foyer, 8' ceilings and no vaulted ceilings. The second story (1300 sq. feet) is bedrooms and baths which are no longer being used.

To save on heating costs, we currently have all the bedroom and bathroom doors closed on the second story and the heat set to around 60. We keep the first floor at around 68 - 70. Is closing doors and dropping the temp a good idea? We have not had a gas bill since doing this, so I don't know how it will actually play out. We have not noticed any difference in the comfort level on the first floor since doing this.

The basement is unfinished and we do have the vents open downstairs. Thank you for answering this question. I listen on Saturdays but usually am unable to call in.

A. I consider your 10 degree setback practice good conservation. I think you are doing this just right. You will experience some savings from lowering to 60 degrees the second floor by conditioning less volume of your house. Your savings will be noticeable but not dramatic due to the open foyer. Some of your first floor heat will rise and radiate to the second floor and but your zoned heating and cooling offers you the benefit from this temperature lowering practice.

Further lowering to 60 or 50 degrees can make the main floor chilly and your potential savings don’t appreciably increase due to the diminishing returns from further temperature lowering. Dropping the first 10 degrees lower will save the greatest amount of energy. I think your setback to 60 degrees is just about right.

This temperature lowering practice without a split system is counter productive because the one ductwork air circulation system will seek equilibrium as the forced air system circulates the air throughout the whole house. Again the split system (two separate furnaces & air conditioners) allows both conservation and comfort by delivering the ability to set the temperature according to your desire.

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