Here’s where to set your thermostat during the SC winter storm to stay warm enough but save money

As the bitter cold rushes into South Carolina this weekend, you might wonder what is the best temperature to stay warm but not bust the budget.

The U.S. Department of Energy has the answer.

It’s 68 degrees during the day and while you’re awake. Sleeping temperature can be lower.

The Cleveland Clinic says 60 to 67 while you’re sleeping.

The Department of Energy also says to tamp down that thermostat while you’re not home. For every degree you drop your thermostat, you save about 1% on your energy bill, the Energy Department said.

Keeping pipes from freezing

But what about my pipes, you might ask. Frozen pipes equal big trouble right? Exploding pipes! Plumbers! Big expense. Big. And what a mess when everything thaws.

Weather.com says frozen pipes happen in the South when the temperature reaches about 20 degrees Fahrenheit, which by the way is the prediction in Greenville for Saturday and Sunday nights.

The Energy Department says it’s not only about thermostat settling but also where your pipes are located, what material they are made of, and if they are insulated well.

“This is why you don’t want the temperature inside your house to drop too low, because bathroom and kitchen pipes are generally not insulated, and they rely on whatever system you’re using to heat the rest of your house to keep warm,” the department said.

“But don’t forget the rest of your pipes—some of your water pipes may be in colder parts of your house, like crawl spaces or attics, that don’t get any of your home’s ambient heat and may, in fact, be subjected to air directly from outside.”

The department has a guide on how to insulate your pipes. Step-by-step DIY project.

Consumer reports has these tips:

Keep garage doors closed.

Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors.

Let the cold water drip from a faucet served by exposed pipes.

Set the thermostat to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

Insulate pipes.

Add insulation to attics, basements, and crawl spaces.