During both the heating and cooling season you should determine the desired indoor temperature and set the thermostat to maintain that desired temperature.

Turning the system completely off during periods when you are away from home is a mistake.

The recovery time needed to completely bring your home back to a reasonable temperature is generally greater than the running time for the system during the time you are away. You may, of course, change the setting when you are away in order to reduce your operating costs. In the winter you should only lower the setting by 5 degrees F. In the summer you should only raise the setting by 5 degrees F.

These recommendations also apply to two-story homes with two systems when the home is occupied during the day.

During the day when no one is using the second floor that thermostat may be adjusted by 5 degrees F. to be warmer in the summer or cooler in the winter. At night it is generally acceptable to adjust the first-floor thermostat to be 5 degrees warmer in the summer or cooler in the winter.

Keep your filter clean. Change filters at least every 90 days. Monthly filter changes may be a good idea during the most active heating and cooling periods.

During the winter keep the damper closed in your fireplace when you are not using the fireplace. A tremendous amount of heated air escapes up the chimney when the damper is open. This is true even when you are burning a fire. You must keep the damper open when you are using the fireplace, but you should be aware that using the fireplace will usually increase your heating cost.