Do you save the most energy setting your furnace thermostat at the lowest possible setting?

I try to keep my thermostat at 55 degrees at night during the winter in Maine. Others have told me that during really cold weather it takes more energy to bring it back up to 65 degrees, which is where I keep it in the morning, and that the furnace has to keep cycling on and off, which also requires more energy. I don't believe this is true, but I'm wondering who's right.



I also use a programmable thermostat which I recommend for everyone. It allows me to wake up to a warm house, and to set it back to 55 again while I'm at work and still come home to a warm house. Again, though, I'm concerned that I may be setting it back too far. I have saved 30% on my heating bill since I started using the programmable thermostat!Do you save the most energy setting your furnace thermostat at the lowest possible setting?
You're right, and the people who say it takes more energy to bring it up to 65 are flat wrong.



The reason is heat flow. Heat flows from higher temperatures to lower, like water flowing downhill. The more the temperature difference the faster it flows.



So if you keep your house at 65 at night, heat flows out to the cold night faster. By lowering it to 55, you slow the flow down. In the morning your furnace has to replace less heat inside the house.



It's why programmable thermostats are good idea.



If you like my answer, pay me back, and not with points. Talk to your friends, at a time when they might listen. Give them both my explanation and your experience. At least give it a shot. If you can convince them you'll have saved them money, and helped the environment.



If they don't agree, you might suggest they talk to a heating professional about it.Do you save the most energy setting your furnace thermostat at the lowest possible setting?
If you tip the thermostat clockwise ( I think), your house can cool to an even lower temperature than the 55 its set for. Forget why this was, but it worked for my grandparents. Also, if you mount it higher on the wall it will go on less since its up in the warmer portion of the air. Heating oil prices killing everyone there again this year?Do you save the most energy setting your furnace thermostat at the lowest possible setting?
Your heating bill is all the ecidence I'd need.



The naysayers have subconsciously constructed or believed that theory to ease thier conscience. Humans hey, what are we going to do with them?
You may save even more if you go lower or turn off during the hours your at work ( I assume normal day work shift) and then have it come on an half hour before you come home. The reheating would be assisted from the "solar"energy absorbed by the house and in a sense stored in the attic during the day.

Of course keep in mind that it would be essential to keep the house above freezing so as to keep your plumbing liquid and unfrozen.