What is the best temperature to set your thermostat?

The best thermostat setting depends on season, occupancy, and personal comfort, but a common baseline is 68°F (20°C) when you’re at home in winter and 78°F (26°C) when you’re at home in summer. When you’re away or sleeping, adjusting by about 7–10°F (4–6°C) can save energy without sacrificing safety or comfort.

Understanding how to apply these numbers—along with options like smart scheduling and humidity management—can help you balance comfort with lower energy bills year-round.

Seasonal targets

Winter targets

During cold months, maintaining a comfortable baseline at home while minimizing heat loss is key.

• At home and awake: 68°F (20°C)


• Sleeping or away: 60–67°F (15–19°C)

These ranges reflect common energy guidance; smaller shifts can yield meaningful savings while still keeping rooms comfortable.

Summer targets

In hot months, cooling efficiency depends on humidity and insulation. A different baseline is used.

• At home and awake: 78°F (26°C)


• Away or asleep: 85–88°F (29–31°C)

Raising the thermostat when you’re out or asleep reduces cooling demand, but adjust to humidity and personal comfort preferences.

Smart thermostats and scheduling

Automation can help maintain energy savings without constant manual changes.

• Programmable schedules that align with your daily routine


• Geofencing to adjust when you leave or return


• Learning modes that adapt to your patterns

Smart features can often save a meaningful portion of heating and cooling costs by keeping the home near target temperatures automatically, without constant fiddling.

Practical tips to maximize savings

Beyond the numbers, several practical steps improve efficiency and comfort.

• Seal leaks and improve insulation to reduce heating and cooling load


• Use ceiling fans to feel cooler at higher temperatures


• Maintain humidity around 40–60% for comfort and efficiency


• Schedule regular HVAC maintenance and replace filters as recommended

Small, consistent adjustments, paired with proper equipment care, compound into real savings over time.

Summary

The optimal thermostat setting is not a one-size-fits-all number. Start with 68°F (20°C) in winter and 78°F (26°C) in summer when you’re at home, and use a 7–10°F (4–6°C) adjustment for away or sleep periods to cut energy use. Leverage smart thermostats and humidity control to fine-tune comfort, and follow practical tips like sealing leaks and maintaining your HVAC system to maximize savings while staying comfortable.

Is 72 a good temperature for heat in the winter?

Yes, 72∘F72 raised to the composed with power cap F72∘𝐹 is a good temperature for heat in the winter for comfort, though setting it a few degrees lower, around 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power cap F68∘𝐹, can save more energy. Experts recommend a range of 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power cap F68∘𝐹 to 72∘F72 raised to the composed with power cap F72∘𝐹 for a comfortable temperature when you are home, but suggest adjusting the thermostat lower when sleeping or away to reduce heating costs. 
Factors to consider for your temperature settings

• Comfort: A comfortable temperature is subjective, but many people find the range of 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power cap F68∘𝐹 to 72∘F72 raised to the composed with power cap F72∘𝐹 to be ideal. 
• Energy Savings: The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power cap F68∘𝐹 when you are home to save energy. Lowering the temperature by 7∘F7 raised to the composed with power cap F7∘𝐹 to 10∘F10 raised to the composed with power cap F10∘𝐹 for eight hours a day can save you up to 10%10 %10% on your heating bill. 
• When you are away or asleep: A good strategy is to set your thermostat to a lower temperature when you are not home or are sleeping. For example, set it to around 64∘F64 raised to the composed with power cap F64∘𝐹 when you're out for an extended period and to a lower temperature at night. 
• Automating the process: Using a programmable or smart thermostat can help you automatically adjust the temperature for different times of the day, which makes it easier to save energy without sacrificing comfort. 
• Other factors: Your location, how well your home is insulated, and the efficiency of your heating system also play a role in how warm your home feels and how much energy is used. 

Is 75 too high for heat in winter?

Yes, 75∘F75 raised to the composed with power cap F75∘𝐹 can be considered too high for winter heating, as it is at the upper end of the recommended comfort range and can lead to higher energy bills, lower indoor humidity, and increased heat loss to the outdoors. While personal comfort varies, many sources suggest an ideal setting of 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power cap F68∘𝐹 for occupied homes, with some suggesting a range up to 72∘F72 raised to the composed with power cap F72∘𝐹. The World Health Organization recommends keeping a minimum temperature of 64∘F64 raised to the composed with power cap F64∘𝐹 in occupied homes, with higher minimums for infants or the elderly. 
Factors to consider

• Energy cost: Heating to 75∘F75 raised to the composed with power cap F75∘𝐹 or higher is less energy-efficient and can significantly increase your heating bills compared to a lower setting. 
• Humidity: Higher temperatures decrease the relative humidity in your home, which can lead to dry skin and other issues. 
• Health and comfort: The World Health Organization recommends a minimum temperature of 64∘F64 raised to the composed with power cap F64∘𝐹 for healthy individuals, while a higher minimum of 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power cap F68∘𝐹 may be advised for vulnerable individuals like infants or the elderly. 
• Heat loss: Keeping your home too warm can increase the rate of heat loss to the colder outdoors. 

Recommendations

• Set your thermostat to 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power cap F68∘𝐹: when you are home and awake, which is a good balance between comfort and energy savings. 
• Lower the temperature by 7−10∘F7 minus 10 raised to the composed with power cap F7−10∘𝐹: when you are asleep or away from home to save energy. 
• Consider a programmable or smart thermostat: to automatically adjust the temperature for you. 
• Address drafts: Seal any air leaks around windows and doors to prevent heat from escaping. 

What is the best temperature to set your thermostat to save money?

For energy savings, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends a thermostat setting of 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power cap F68∘𝐹 in the winter and 78∘F78 raised to the composed with power cap F78∘𝐹 in the summer. For even greater savings, adjust the temperature by 7−10∘F7 minus 10 raised to the composed with power cap F7−10∘𝐹 (lower in winter, higher in summer) when you are asleep or away from home, which can save up to 10% on annual energy costs. 
Winter

• While home and awake: Set the thermostat to 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power cap F68∘𝐹. 
• While asleep or away: Lower the setting to around 60−64∘F60 minus 64 raised to the composed with power cap F60−64∘𝐹. 

Summer

• While home and awake: Set the thermostat to 78∘F78 raised to the composed with power cap F78∘𝐹. 
• While asleep or away: Raise the temperature to around 82−85∘F82 minus 85 raised to the composed with power cap F82−85∘𝐹. 

Tips for saving money and staying comfortable

• Use a programmable or smart thermostat: These devices can automatically adjust temperatures based on your schedule, making it easier to save energy without sacrificing comfort. 
• Adjust for your lifestyle: These are general guidelines, so you may need to make small adjustments to find the right balance between energy savings and personal comfort. 
• Consider alternatives for comfort: In the summer, use fans to help you feel cooler, and in the winter, use extra blankets to stay warm while the thermostat is set lower. 
• Protect against extreme cold: If you are away for an extended period in the winter, keep the indoor temperature at or above 55∘F55 raised to the composed with power cap F55∘𝐹 to prevent pipes from freezing. 

What temperature should I keep my house to save money?

To save money on energy, keep your thermostat at 68°F (20°C) in the winter when you are home and awake, and lower it by 7–10°F (around 4–6°C) when you are asleep or away. In the summer, set your thermostat to around 78°F (25.5°C) when home and raise it to 82–85°F (28–29.5°C) or higher when you are away. For the most savings, use a programmable or smart thermostat to automate these temperature changes. 
Winter

• When home and awake: Set the thermostat to 68°F.
• When sleeping or away: Lower the temperature by 7–10°F to 60–64°F. This can save up to 10% on your annual heating and cooling costs. 

Summer

• When home and awake: Set the thermostat to 78°F. 
• When sleeping or away: Raise the temperature to 82–85°F or higher when you are away. 
• To stay comfortable: Use ceiling fans to help circulate cool air. Ensure the blades are spinning counterclockwise in the summer. 

Tips for maximum savings

• Program your thermostat: A programmable or smart thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule, eliminating the need to manually change it and maximizing savings. 
• Ensure your system is efficient: Regular maintenance, like cleaning the air filter, can significantly improve your system's efficiency and help lower your bill. 
• Block off unused rooms: Close vents and doors to rooms that are not in use to avoid heating or cooling them unnecessarily.