How Many Hours a Day Should Your Heating be on in Spring? The 'Goldilocks' Number That Will Keep Your Home Feeling Just Right in March

While there are signs of the green shoots of spring – trees are in bud and those rays of sun are starting to break through the clouds – there is still a bit of a chill in the air and, I for one, am not quite ready to keep my heating off all day yet. But how long should we really have our heating on in March to ensure that we hit that sweet spot of feeling warm enough and not throwing hundreds of dollars away on unnecessary heating?

If you've been following a winter heating schedule, the new season is the perfect time to start making adjustments, to ensure your home feels comfortable as the temperatures start to rise outdoors. How you do this will depend on a number of factors though, from how warm you and your family personally like to feel, to the style of your home and how well it holds the heat, as well as what kind of heating system you have, and the region you live in.

If you're wondering what the most efficient heating schedule is for this time of year, you're in luck, as I've called in the energy experts to share their tips and tricks that will help you to keep the temperature of your home feeling just right. Plus, I've rounded up some March heating essentials from a smart Nest thermostat (Home Depot) to thermal curtains to keep the heat in.

How Long Should You Have the Heating on in March?

'Spring weather tends to mean cool mornings and milder afternoons, so most homeowners will only need heating during the cooler parts of the day, such as early mornings or later in the evening,' explains Lane Martin, Co-Founder of Modern PURAIR

But where you live will also play a part. 'The ideal amount of time to keep the heating on in your home this March depends on spring weather conditions where you live,' says Katlyn Garside Sustainability Expert at Integrity Energy. 'In colder, Northern climates, you can still expect to keep your heating on for most of the day. In warmer, Southern climates, however, you may just need heating in the mornings or evenings.'

Katlyn recommends these specific times per climate type:

• States in New England or the Upper Midwest will likely need between 12-18 hours of heating daily throughout March, focusing on the mornings, evenings, and overnight.
• Southern states and areas experiencing a warmer spring may only need to heat their homes up to 6 hours daily in March, primarily in the mornings and nights.

What's the Most Efficient Way to Manage Your Heating?

Shannon Bedrich, CFO of ElectricityPlans.com advises 'The best approach to heating and cooling your home is to invest in a smart thermostat [like the Google Nest from Home Depot] that you can easily program to your household’s habits. Thermostats are made to 'set it and forget it'. And that’s the most efficient way to use them.'

Whilst turning off the heating when you don't need it might sound like the best way to save money, it could cost you more in the long term, as you may have to boost it later on when the chill sets in, explains Paul Bojko, Owner of A Guy Heating and Air in Illinois. 'When you manually turn the thermostat down low, you are decreasing the temperature in heating mode. This allows for slight energy savings as the unit will not be running, but then you are relying on the insulation of your home to minimize heat loss.' Paul adds: 'When it comes time to turn the temperature up again, your heating system has to work harder to make up the difference. This usually happens at the coldest part of the day, which leads to greater energy consumption.'

Katlyn suggests that the better option is to let your thermostat do the work: 'installing a smart thermostat, which automatically adjusts the temperature based on your schedule and local weather conditions, can help reduce your heating and cooling costs by 8%, saving about $50 each year.'

What is the Best Temperature to Have Your Home in March?

'Everyone perceives temperature differently,' says Paul Bojko, Owner of A Guy Heating and Air in Illinois. 'The primary role of heating and cooling equipment is to maintain a comfortable space.'

Shannon recommends the optimum temperatures to set your thermostat to: 'For energy-efficient heating, we recommend 68F when at home, 55-60F when away from home, and 65- 68°F for sleeping.'

And, when you are at home, whilst it may be tempting to turn up the dial a few notches, try to resist the urge and just minimally increase the ambient temperature in your home instead. 'From an efficiency standpoint, it’s usually better to maintain a fairly consistent indoor temperature rather than repeatedly boosting the heat throughout the day,' explains Lane. 'Large temperature swings will only force the heating system to work harder to recover. For many homes, keeping the thermostat around 65-68F during cooler spring periods provides comfortable heat without unnecessarily increasing energy use.'

When is the Best Time to Turn the Heating Off?

If you're wondering when the best time is to turn your heating off, Katylin sheds some light on the matter: 'While it all comes down to personal comfort and preference, most households start adjusting their heating schedule when local daily temperatures and overnight lows stay near the low-60s for several days.' She adds: 'With mild spring weather and passive heating from the sun, your home should be much more comfortable, and you’ll only need heating for unexpected cold snaps.'

Lane adds: 'Once daytime temperatures start to climb and consistently reach the mid-50s, homes will start to hold heat naturally, especially in rooms that receive direct sunlight. Letting that natural warmth do some of the work can reduce how often your heating system needs to run.'

Shop These March Heating Essentials

Now that you know how to heat your home effectively this spring, make sure you don't fall foul of these thermostat mistakes, which could be costly.

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