Understanding how lowering the temperature setting affects electricity use
When you lower the temperature setting on your thermostats, your heating system shuts off. The lower you set the temperature, the longer the heating stays off and the more you save.
Two examples of lowering the temperature setting:
Lowering the temperature setting by 2.5°C
Impact on heating of lowering the temperature setting by 2.5°C:
If you lower the temperature setting by 2.5°C, from 21°C to 18.5°C, for example, your heating system will start up again as soon as the ambient temperature reaches 18.5°C, which will probably be near the end of the peak demand event. Your potential savings are therefore higher.
1. Maintaining the temperature setting at 21°C
- Before the peak demand event, your heating system maintains the temperature setting at 21°C.
2. Lowering the temperature setting by 2.5°C at the start of the peak demand event
- At the start of the event, lower the temperature setting on your thermostats from 21°C to 18.5°C.
- Your heating system will shut off. That’s when you’ll save money.
- The shaded area represents your potential savings.1
3. Reaching 18.5°C
- When the ambient temperature reaches 18.5°C, your heating system will start up again in order to maintain this temperature.
- The temperature of your premises might be less comfortable.
4. Increasing the temperature setting by 2.5°C at the end of the event
- At the end of the event, turn the temperature setting back up to 21°C.
- Your heating system will increase its power demand to reach the new temperature setting.
5. Reaching 21°C
- Once the desired temperature is reached, your heating system will maintain it at the same level as before the event.
Your potential savings are greater than if you had only lowered the temperature setting by 1°C. At 18.5°C, the temperature can feel cool. If you would like additional comfort, you can preheat your premises.
Lowering the temperature setting by 1°C
Impact on heating of lowering the temperature setting by 1°C:
If you lower the temperature setting by 1°C, from 21°C to 20°C, for example, at 6 a.m., your heating system will go back on as soon as the ambient temperature reaches 20°C. Depending on the features of the premises, your system may go back on before the end of the peak demand event at 9 a.m. Your potential savings are therefore lower.
1. Maintaining the temperature setting at 21°C
- Before the peak demand event, your heating system maintains the temperature setting at 21°C.
2. Lowering the temperature setting by 1°C at the start of the peak demand event
- At the start of the event, lower the temperature setting on your thermostats from 21°C to 20°C.
- Your heating system will stop. That’s when you’ll save money.
- The shaded area represents your potential savings.1
3. Reaching 20°C
- When the ambient temperature reaches 20°C, your heating system will start up again in order to maintain it.
4. Increasing the temperature setting by 1°C at the end of the event
- At the end of the event, turn the temperature setting back up to 21°C.
- Your heating system will increase its power demand to reach the new temperature setting.
5. Reaching 21°C
- Once the desired temperature is reached, your heating system will maintain it at the same level as before the event.
Your potential savings are less than if you had lowered the temperature further, but at 20°C, the temperature is still comfortable.
For additional comfort, you can preheat your premises
If you don’t have an auxiliary heating system, lowering the temperature by several degrees may become uncomfortable. If you would like additional comfort, you can preheat your premises.
For instance, if you preheat your premises to 22.5°C a few hours before the peak demand event and then lower the temperature to 20°C at the beginning of the event, your heating system will start up when the temperature reaches 20°C. Although you will have consumed a bit more energy before the event, you’ll keep your potential savings during the event, while maintaining a more comfortable temperature.
Impact of preheating followed by lowering the temperature setting by 2.5°C
1. Maintaining the temperature setting at 21°C
- Before the peak demand event, your heating system maintains the temperature setting of 21°C.
2. Increasing the temperature setting by 1.5°C one or two hours before the peak demand event
- One or two hours before the event, turn the temperature setting of your thermostats up to 22.5°C.
- Your heating system will increase its power demand to reach the new temperature setting. The time needed to reach it will depend on the features of your premises. To maximize your savings, make sure that the temperature reaches 22.5°C shortly before the beginning of the peak demand event.
3. Lowering the temperature setting by 2.5°C at the start of the peak demand event
- At the start of the event, lower the temperature setting on your thermostats from 22.5°C to 20°C.
- Your heating system will stop. That’s when you’ll save money.
- The shaded area represents your potential savings.1
4. Reaching 20°C
- When the ambient temperature reaches 20°C, your heating system will start up again in order to maintain it.
- The temperature of your premises is slightly cooler but still comfortable.
5. Increasing the temperature setting by 1°C at the end of the event
- At the end of the event, turn the temperature setting back up to 21°C.
- Your heating system will increase its power demand to reach the new temperature setting.
6. Reaching 21°C
- Once the desired temperature is reached, your heating system will maintain it at the same level as before the event.
You enjoy savings, and the temperature remains comfortable at 20°C.
Note
1. Well insulated premises without air leaks will conserve heat longer. This means that it will take longer before the heating system has to start up again and you’ll save even more. Please note that the data in the table regarding how long the heating system stays on and the potential savings is provided for information purposes only.