Winter in Prince George has a way of reminding us who’s boss. One minute it’s cozy, the next your furnace is working harder than a snowplow on Highway 97. The good news? One of the simplest winter energy-saving tips is also one of the most effective — and it doesn’t involve wearing three sweaters indoors.
It all comes down to your thermostat.
When no one’s home, keeping your house at full “toasty cabin” mode means your furnace is burning energy for an empty living room. Adjusting the temperature while you’re out prevents your system from maintaining an unnecessarily warm space, and over the course of a long Northern BC winter, those savings really add up.
That said, there is such a thing as turning it down too much. Big temperature drops can put extra strain on your heating system when it has to work overtime to warm the house back up. And in our climate, drastic dips can also increase the risk of frozen plumbing — which is a winter headache nobody wants.
According to Matt Sharpe, Senior Engineering Consultant at Efficiency Vermont, the sweet spot is lowering your thermostat by about 7 to 10 degrees for roughly eight hours a day. That window is ideal because it gives your furnace a break without shocking the system or your pipes.
And yes, sleep counts too.
“You can also lower the temperature when you’re sleeping,” Sharpe notes — and if you’ve ever piled on an extra blanket during a Prince George cold snap, you already know this one works. A slightly cooler home at night can be more comfortable, easier on your heating system, and easier on your energy bills.
If you’re heading to work, running errands, or turning in for the night, a modest thermostat adjustment is a small habit that can make a noticeable difference over the winter months. It’s one of those quiet, behind-the-scenes changes that keeps your home comfortable while saving money in the background.
And if winter has you thinking about your home more broadly — whether it’s energy efficiency, downsizing, or finding a place that’s easier to heat — that’s where having a local Realtor in your corner really helps.
If you’d like to talk about winter-ready homes, smart upgrades, or your next move in Prince George, reach out anytime at jasonlukehomes@gmail.com or call 250-301-9960. Staying warm should be simple — and your real estate decisions can be too.