The Department of Energy suggests that your thermostat should be set somewhere between 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer. It is also recommended that you program them to change even more when you are sleeping and when you are away from home. The best temperature varies a little bit based on the type of thermostat, so check out the resources above listed under your type of thermostat.

One of the best ways to more effectively use your thermostat for energy and cost savings is to change it based on the occupancy of your home and the activity level of the occupants. For example, a great way to save energy and money is by reducing the heating or cooling:

• while you sleep
• while you are at work or school
• while on vacation or away from the house for an extended period of time

This can be done either manually or with a programmable thermostat. Smart thermostats even allow you to adjust them more often and remotely.

A smart thermostat allows you to control the thermostat and temperature settings of a space from a mobile device or laptop, even when you are not at home. It allows for more control over setting the temperature and adjusting them as needed. Smart thermostats have become increasingly popular due to their user-friendly design, convenience and cost benefits. For more information about switching to a smart thermostat, check out this resource: wattsmarthomes.com

There are many different ways to save additional energy in your home that work well with adjusting your thermostat or investing in a programmable or smart thermostat. These include:

• Replace incandescent light bulbs with halogen, compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), or LED bulbs which use anywhere from 25-80% less electricity and last a lot longer.
• Use smart power strips to reduce energy waste of electronics, such as TVs, game consoles, and stereos, when they are not in use.
• Consider switching to more energy efficient windows reduce heat and cool loss.
• Insulate your home, including spaces such as attics, walls, basement, and crawl spaces.

Click here for more energy saving home improvement ideas.

We can't always afford to make home improvements or upgrade to a smart thermostat. While we save up for these, there are simple, behavioral things we can do to still make an impact. These include:

• Open your windows when it is nice outside. In the warmer months, open them in the morning or evening to let in cooler air and shut them as it gets warmer during the day.
• Reconsider your clothing choices. Wear more layers or longer sleeves in the winter so you can stay comfortable without needing to heat your whole home more. 
• Use your ceiling fans and other fans. Be sure it is spinning correctly to push air down into the room to create air flow and cool you off.
• Add/Remove more blankets or sheets to/from your bed. This will allow you to be comfortable while you sleep without needing to adjust the thermostat.

Institutions such as the University of Utah, other colleges, and work places manage many public shared spaces. Actions we do in our homes to be more energy efficient can, to some extent, be done in these public places as well. Try doing the following:

• If possible, program the thermostat for your office, classroom, or shared space just as you would your home.
• If programming the thermostat is not an option, be sure it is turned off when a space is not occupied. Most public spaces such as shared offices and classrooms have two simple settings of occupied and unoccupied. When occupied, the space will be heated or cooled to a comfortable temperature.
• Turn off lights when a space is not in use. This may sound cliché, but it does have an impact on energy savings.
• Switch out your space heater for an electric blanket. Space heaters use more energy and make it difficult for heating and cooling systems to properly regulate a space's temperature. Electric blankets use much less energy and provide the warmth directly to you instead of to the space.
• Show your support for more investment in renewable energy, such as the U's recent investment in more geothermal energy.

Getting involved in the community is a vital part in helping us all become more energy efficient and fight the effects of a changing climate. There are many ways to get involved including:

• Join and/or support an advocacy group, such as Utah Clean Energy, to learn how to get involved and connect with other supporters.
• Show your support for a legislative bill in your city, county, or state that works to further clean energy. HCR 11 in the state of Utah is one such bill that supports the Utah Roadmap for Positive Solutions on Climate and Air Quality.
• Reach out to your representative and express your desire for additional clean energy bills and more reform in the government in support of climate solutions.
• Lead by example. Take part in the initiatives and make behavioral changes so that others will do the same.