A cold snap will hit SC with freezing weather soon. Where to set your thermostat to save money
Some South Carolinians may want to pull their heavy coats out of storage.
South Carolina may soon experience the coldest weather it’s had this fall as temperatures are expected to plummet over the next couple of days, according to the National Weather Service.
Forecasts as of Wednesday show that temperatures in the Columbia area will only reach the 50s on Thursday and Friday. Lows for both days will drop to the mid-to-upper 30s.
Residents in the Upstate can also expect much colder weather, with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s. Meanwhile, areas deep in the Lowcountry like Charleston can expect slightly warmer temperatures in the 60s and 40s on Thursday. However, highs may still drop into the 50s on Friday, the NWS states.
Brad Carlbert, a meteorologist with the NWS in West Columbia, said a cold front moved through and generated rainfall early Wednesday is why there will be a sudden drop in temperatures over the next couple of days.
Carlbert added that some outlying rural areas around Columbia may even see temperatures drop as low as 32 degrees at night on Thursday and Friday.
“But we aren’t concerned with a hard freeze where people would be worried about pipes and stuff,” he said. “Temps would have to be in the 20s and low teens for a hard freeze.”
So far this fall, South Carolina has faced warmer-than-normal temperatures, Carlbert said.
Meanwhile, October was exceptionally dry, with rainfall 3 inches below normal for the state. November has seen about average rainfall at 7.1 inches to date. However, much of the state is still under some level of drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Thermostat setting in SC
With frosty temperatures on the way, residents will be tempted to crank up the heat in their homes. However, all that extra heat won’t be cheap.
What’s actually the best temperature to set your thermostat to save the most money during this extra cold weather?
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to around 68 degrees to 70 degrees while you’re awake and setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home to save energy during cold weather.
“During winter, the lower the interior temperature, the slower the heat loss. So the longer your house remains at the lower temperature, the more energy you save, because your house has lost less energy than it would have at the higher temperature,” the Department of Energy states.
Staying Comfortable
Carolina Comfort Inc., a Columbia-based HVAC company, notes that 68 degrees is a great temperature to target, since it’s warm enough to keep most people from shivering, while still low enough to avoid wasting money or straining your heater.
“Too much strain could lead you to install a new heating system,” Carolina Comfort states.
Energy Saving Tips
Dominion Energy has several tips to help South Carolinians save money on their power bills over the fall and winter.
- Limit the use of electric space heaters for supplemental heating
- Get an HVAC tuneup annually
- Change filters monthly or when dirty
- Set your water heater to “warm” or 120 degrees
- Check ductwork for leaks/tears and repair as needed
