What temperature should my thermostat be on?
For most homes, aim for about 68°F (20°C) in winter when you’re awake and at home, and about 78°F (26°C) in summer when you’re home. Adjust for sleep and absences to save energy and stay comfortable.
Context: why thermostat settings matter
Thermostat choices drive the bulk of a home’s energy bill. Small, consistent adjustments can reduce energy use without sacrificing comfort, especially when paired with proper insulation, weatherproofing, and smart scheduling. Individual needs—such as health conditions, pets, and local climate—can justify staying a couple of degrees warmer or cooler at times.
Seasonal target ranges
Below are practical starting points for typical homes, with distinctions between when you’re at home and awake, when you’re sleeping, and when the house is unoccupied.
- Winter — Home, awake/comfort: 68°F (20°C).
- Winter — Home, asleep: 65–67°F (18–19°C).
- Winter — Away or unoccupied: 60–67°F (15–19°C).
Season-specific adjustments can yield meaningful savings; keep a comfortable baseline and tweak gradually to find what works best for you.
Summer cooling targets
In hot months, the goal is to stay comfortable while avoiding overcooling and excessive energy use. The following ranges are common starting points for many homes.
- Summer — Home, awake/comfortable: 78°F (26°C).
- Summer — Home, asleep: 72–75°F (22–24°C).
- Summer — Away or unoccupied: 78–82°F (26–28°C).
For households with high humidity or sensitive occupants, slight adjustments (±1–2°F) can improve comfort without sacrificing efficiency.
Smart tools and practical tips
Using programmable or smart thermostats, scheduling adjustments, and occupancy-based cooling or heating can maximize savings. Practical steps include returning the thermostat during mornings and evenings, using ceiling fans to circulate air, and sealing leaks or upgrading insulation to keep conditioned air inside.
Additional considerations: humidity and airflow
Maintaining indoor humidity around 30–50% generally improves comfort and helps prevent mold growth. Humidity levels interact with temperature, so you may find you can feel cooler at a given temperature with lower humidity. Adequate airflow, via fans and properly sized vents, also enhances perceived comfort without changing the thermostat setting significantly.
Summary
In brief: target about 68°F (20°C) in winter when you’re at home and awake, and about 78°F (26°C) in summer when you’re at home and awake. Increase or decrease by a degree or two based on sleep, presence, climate, and personal comfort, and consider smart thermostats to automate efficient scheduling. Small, deliberate adjustments can yield meaningful energy savings while keeping your living space 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 temperature should my thermostat be set at?
For energy efficiency, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 68∘68 raised to the composed with power68∘F in the winter when you are home and 78∘78 raised to the composed with power78∘F in the summer. When away or sleeping, you can save more by lowering the setting in winter or raising it in summer, as it reduces your HVAC system's workload and energy consumption.
Winter
- When you're home: 68∘68 raised to the composed with power68∘F
- When you're sleeping or away: Lower the temperature to a range between 58∘58 raised to the composed with power58∘F and 61∘61 raised to the composed with power61∘F
Summer
- When you're home: 78∘78 raised to the composed with power78∘F
- When you're sleeping or away: Raise the temperature to around 85∘85 raised to the composed with power85∘F to save energy
What should I set my thermostat to in the winter?
When you are home, set your thermostat to 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power cap F68∘𝐹 to 70∘F70 raised to the composed with power cap F70∘𝐹 for a balance of comfort and efficiency. When you are asleep or away, lower the temperature to 62∘F62 raised to the composed with power cap F62∘𝐹 or lower to save energy.
Recommended settings
- When you are home and awake: Set the thermostat to 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power cap F68∘𝐹. This is widely considered the best temperature for saving energy while remaining comfortable.
- When you are sleeping or away: Lower the temperature to 62∘F62 raised to the composed with power cap F62∘𝐹 or slightly lower. For extended absences, the Department of Energy suggests lowering it by 7 to 10 degrees for at least eight hours a day, which can save up to 15% on your heating bill.
- For vulnerable individuals: Ensure the temperature does not fall below 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power cap F68∘𝐹 for infants, the elderly, or those with health concerns.
Tips for optimizing your settings
- Use a programmable or smart thermostat: This allows you to automatically adjust the temperature based on your schedule, making it easy to save energy without having to manually change the thermostat.
- Gradually adjust to lower temperatures: If you are used to a warmer home, try lowering the temperature by one degree each week to gradually adjust to a lower setting without discomfort.
- Protect pipes: Never set your thermostat below 55∘F55 raised to the composed with power cap F55∘𝐹 when you are away for an extended period to prevent pipes from freezing.
- Consider insulation and drafts: Ensure your home is well-insulated and seal any drafts to prevent heat from escaping. Placing a blanket over windows at night can also help.
