Recommended Thermostat Settings for Winter: The Energy-Saving Guide

As winter settles in, the battle between staying cozy and keeping the utility bill reasonable begins. Every degree on the dial represents a significant percentage of your monthly expenses. But what is the magic number? Is it better to keep the house at a constant temperature, or should you let it drop while you are at work?

As experts in HVAC efficiency and home automation, we have compiled the definitive guide to winter thermostat settings. Whether you are using a basic manual unit or a high-tech smart system, understanding how your thermostat works is the first step to mastering your comfort.

⚡ The Quick Answer (AEO)

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the ideal thermostat settings for winter are:

When You Are Home: 68°F (20°C)
While Sleeping: 65°F (18°C)
When You Are Away: 58°F – 60°F (14°C – 15°C)

Lowering your thermostat by 7-10°F for 8 hours a day can save you up to 10% a year on heating and cooling.

The “Setback” Strategy: Fact vs. Fiction

A common myth persists that “it costs more to re-heat the house than to maintain the temperature.” For most gas furnaces and boilers, this is false. The rate of heat loss from your home depends on the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures. The cooler your house is, the slower it loses heat. Therefore, “setting back” the temperature while you are away saves energy.

However, implementing this strategy effectively depends on your equipment. If you are using a standard furnace, smart vs. programmable thermostats make a huge difference in automating this setback so you return to a warm home.

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The Heat Pump Exception: If you have a heat pump (like a Bosch or Carrier system), setting the temperature back by more than 3-4 degrees can trigger the “Auxiliary Heat” (electric strips) when it tries to recover. This is extremely expensive.
Read More: Is the Bosch Heat Pump Good? and Best Thermostat for Bosch Heat Pumps.

Detailed Schedule Recommendations

Creating a schedule is the key to savings. Here is a template you can program into your device right now.

Time of Day	Activity	Recommended Temp	Why?
6:00 AM – 8:00 AM	Wake Up	68°F (20°C)	Warm up the house before you get out of bed.
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM	Work / Away	60°F (15°C)	Empty house requires minimal heating.
5:00 PM – 10:00 PM	Evening Relaxing	68°F (20°C)	Optimal comfort for dinner and TV.
10:00 PM – 6:00 AM	Sleep	65°F (18°C)	Better sleep quality. See our guide on Ideal Room Temp for Sleeping.

Vacation Settings: Don’t Freeze Your Pipes

Heading out for the holidays? Never turn your heat completely off. If the temperature inside your walls drops below freezing, pipes can burst, causing catastrophic damage. We generally recommend a “Permanent Hold” setting of 55°F (13°C).

For a deep dive on extended absences, read our guide: What temperature to set your thermostat when on vacation in winter.

Top Tools to Automate Your Winter Savings

If you are still adjusting a manual dial, you are losing money. Modern thermostats pay for themselves in one or two winters. Here are our top picks for 2024.

Google Nest Learning Thermostat

The “Set it and Forget it” King. It learns your schedule within a week and auto-adjusts. Perfect if you have an erratic schedule.

Check Price on Amazon

Compare: Nest vs Amazon Smart

ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium

Best for Data Geeks. Excellent reporting on energy usage and handles multi-room sensors better than any other unit.

Check Price on Amazon

Compare: Ecobee vs Wyze

Emerson Sensi Wi-Fi

Best Budget Upgrade. Uses traditional batteries and fits old footprints. Great if you don’t have a C-Wire.

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Guide: Sensi Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting: When the Thermostat Doesn’t Listen

You set the thermostat to 68°F, but the house stays at 62°F. Or perhaps you hear the furnace trying to start, but nothing happens. Winter is the most common time for HVAC failures. Before calling a pro, check these common issues:

Short Cycling: If the unit turns on and off rapidly, check your air filter. Also, read Thermostat keeps rebooting.
No Heat: If the screen says “Heat On” but the air is cold, it could be a flame sensor or igniter. See Thermostat says heat on but no heat.
Fan Issues: Is your fan running 24/7? This makes the house feel drafty. Check How much electricity does the fan use?
Clicking Noises: A clicking sound without ignition usually indicates a relay or power issue. Why is my thermostat clicking but not turning on?

Specific Heaters: Baseboards and Heat Pumps

Not all homes use central air. If you are using electric baseboard heating, your strategy must be different. You need specific line-voltage controllers.
Resource: Thermostat for baseboard heaters guide.

Common Questions (FAQ)

Q: Are Wi-Fi thermostats worth it for winter savings?
A: Absolutely. The ability to monitor your home remotely and ensure you didn’t leave the heat blasting is invaluable. See: Are WiFi thermostats worth it?

Q: My thermostat isn’t reaching the set temperature. Is it broken?
A: Not necessarily. It might be in a drafty location or the system is undersized for the extreme cold. Check our guide: Thermostat not reaching set temperature.

Q: Can I install a smart thermostat myself?
A: Yes, most are DIY-friendly. If you are replacing an old model, read How to switch out an HZ311 for an Ecobee.