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The best thermostat settings for lower heating and cooling bills are a comfortable starting temperature at home and a scheduled setback when you sleep or are away. For U.S. homes, the Department of Energy (DOE) suggests starting around 68–70°F while home in winter, then adjusting for comfort. It recommends setting the temperature back 7–10°F for at least eight hours a day; that schedule can save as much as 10% per year on heating and cooling costs, though actual savings vary.
In summer, raise the thermostat when you leave and use the highest cooling setting that remains comfortable. The right schedule depends on your household, climate, humidity, pets, and HVAC equipment—not a single temperature that suits every home.
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Use these as starting points, not universal targets. Comfort, household needs, and HVAC design matter, and the DOE advises adjusting its winter recommendation as needed.
| Situation | Practical starting point | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Winter, home and awake | About 68–70°F, adjusted for comfort | This is the DOE’s recommended starting range for an occupied home. |
| Winter, asleep or away for at least eight hours | Set back 7–10°F if comfortable and appropriate for your system | The DOE says this setback schedule can save as much as 10% per year on heating and cooling costs. |
| Summer, home and cooling | Choose the highest cooling setting that remains comfortable | A higher setpoint reduces how much cooling the thermostat calls for, while comfort and moisture still matter. |
| Summer, asleep or away | Raise the setpoint rather than cooling an empty home to the same level as an occupied one | A schedule can avoid unnecessary cooling while you are out or asleep. |
The DOE’s February 2, 2024 thermostat guidance recommends starting around 68–70°F in winter and setting back 7–10°F when away. Its “as much as 10%” figure is an estimate, not a promise about an individual bill. Results depend on factors such as how long the setback lasts, local weather, the home, and the heating and cooling system.
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The useful principle is not to chase a perfect number. It is to avoid paying to maintain an occupied-home temperature when the house is empty or everyone is asleep, while keeping the temperature and humidity within a range your household and equipment can handle. A smaller change followed consistently can be more practical than an aggressive change that someone overrides every day.
How should you set the thermostat in winter?
Start near 68–70°F while you are home and awake, then lower the setting during sleep and longer absences if that remains comfortable. A repeatable setback schedule is more useful than treating one daytime temperature as the answer for the whole day.
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- Choose a comfortable occupied setting. Use the DOE’s 68–70°F range as a starting point, not a requirement. Adjust it for the people in the home and their comfort. Older adults, infants, people with health conditions, and anyone especially sensitive to cold may need a different setting.
- Pick the hours when a lower setting makes sense. Sleep and time away from home are the usual opportunities. The DOE’s savings estimate is tied to a 7–10°F setback for at least eight hours a day.
- Set the setback you can live with. If a 7–10°F reduction is uncomfortable, use a smaller change. The recommendation is not a reason to make the home uncomfortably cold.
- Repeat the schedule consistently. Change the thermostat manually or use a programmable thermostat to automate the changes. FTC consumer guidance describes both approaches.
- Allow time for the home to become comfortable again. Program the occupied period to begin before people need the home at the daytime setting, rather than assuming the temperature changes instantly. The exact timing depends on the building and equipment, so adjust the schedule based on experience.
For example, a household that leaves at 8 a.m. and returns at 5 p.m. could use its occupied setting in the morning and evening, then set back during the workday and overnight. A household with changing shifts may be better served by manual changes or a smart thermostat’s remote control than by a rigid weekday program. The goal is a schedule that reflects actual occupancy.
DOE’s 2021 Consumer Guide to Home Heating and Cooling also gives an estimate of up to 10% savings from setbacks while away or asleep. It separately says a one-degree setback over an eight-hour period can reduce heating bills by 1%. That older rule of thumb should not be combined with the 2024 estimate or used to calculate a guaranteed bill reduction for a particular home. Neither figure tells you exactly what your next bill will be.
What should you do with the thermostat in summer?
When cooling is needed, use the highest setting that is still comfortable, and raise it when you are away. Do not choose a summer temperature solely to match a generic online number: humidity, comfort, pets, and the home’s conditions all affect what is reasonable.
The DOE’s home heating and cooling guide recommends keeping the cooling system running to avoid moisture buildup that could produce mold. That does not mean holding one low temperature all day; it means considering moisture as well as temperature when deciding how to operate the system. If you raise the setting while away, keep household needs—including pets—in mind rather than assuming every home can use the same setback.
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In a dry climate, a higher away setting may be easy to tolerate. In a humid climate, temperature alone may not describe indoor comfort, and a long period with inadequate cooling can allow moisture to build up. Watch how the home responds after changing the schedule. If rooms become clammy or there are signs of moisture, review the setting and the system’s operating guidance instead of continuing to raise the setpoint.
The FTC says homeowners can make thermostat changes manually or use a programmable thermostat to schedule them. A schedule can raise the cooling setpoint before the household leaves and lower it again when cooling is needed, without requiring someone to remember every change. If people or pets remain home during the day, treat the home as occupied for those periods rather than applying an empty-house schedule.
How much can a thermostat change affect your bill?
A setback reduces the hours your heating or cooling system is called on to maintain the occupied temperature. The potential is greatest when the home is unoccupied or everyone is asleep for a substantial period. DOE’s 2024 guidance describes a 7–10°F setback for at least eight hours daily and says it can save as much as 10% per year on heating and cooling costs. “As much as” matters: weather, insulation, windows, equipment efficiency, thermostat location, occupancy, and the length of the setback all affect the result.
The 2021 DOE guide’s statement that each degree of winter setback during an eight-hour period can reduce heating bills by 1% is another broad estimate, not a personal calculator. It addresses heating bills and should not be treated as a promise for cooling, a particular climate, or a specific building. Avoid multiplying the figure across every degree and every day to forecast annual savings.
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To judge your own result, compare similar billing periods rather than one unusually hot or cold month. Keep the schedule stable long enough to observe comfort and usage, and remember that changes in outdoor weather can overwhelm a modest thermostat adjustment. A lower bill is useful only if the home remains comfortable and the equipment operates as intended.
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Should you use a manual, programmable, or smart thermostat?
Choose the simplest thermostat that can follow a schedule your household will actually use and that is compatible with your HVAC equipment. Automation can make setbacks easier, but a more feature-rich thermostat is not automatically the right choice for every system.
| Type | What it can do | Consider it when | Possible trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual | Lets you change the setpoint by hand | You prefer to make changes yourself and do not need a recurring schedule. | Savings depend on remembering every change. |
| Programmable | Can automate scheduled temperature changes | You want the same setback routine to happen regularly without remembering each adjustment. | A fixed program may not fit changing work hours or frequent travel. |
| Smart | May add app control, learning, or occupancy-based adjustments | Those features solve a real need in your household and the thermostat is compatible with your equipment. | Compatibility, wiring, setup, and feature value need to be checked before purchase. |
ENERGY STAR says savings for certified smart thermostats are evaluated using field data, but an individual household’s results depend on equipment, occupancy, climate, and comfort. Its current guidance estimates approximately $100 a year for homes with high heating and cooling bills or that are unoccupied much of the day; the page does not state a publication year for that estimate. Treat it as a category-level estimate, not a guaranteed saving or a prediction for your home.
A programmable thermostat is often the direct solution when the need is simply a repeatable weekday and weekend schedule. A smart model may be worth considering when people arrive home at unpredictable times, need to make changes remotely, or want learning or occupancy features. Those features do not create savings automatically: they help only when they reduce unnecessary heating or cooling without causing unwanted overrides.
Before buying, check the thermostat maker’s compatibility information and your HVAC equipment documentation. ENERGY STAR identifies system type, wiring, and equipment complexity as considerations. Some thermostats need a C-wire or an adapter; zoned or variable-speed systems may require more specialized setup. ENERGY STAR also says variable-capacity heat pumps or air conditioners generally perform best with a manufacturer-recommended thermostat. If you are unsure what system or wiring you have, ask a qualified HVAC professional before replacing the thermostat.
How can you make a setback schedule without overcomplicating it?
Build the schedule around the hours your home is occupied, asleep, or empty, then use the smallest number of changes that reliably covers those periods. A simple routine is easier to maintain than a complicated one that does not match the household’s real schedule.
- List typical occupied and unoccupied periods. Note when people are usually home, asleep, and away. If the schedule changes often, a fixed program may need frequent adjustments.
- Choose the occupied settings first. In winter, begin around 68–70°F while home and adjust for comfort. In summer, select the highest cooling setting that remains comfortable.
- Add setbacks for sleep or longer absences. In winter, the DOE’s 7–10°F setback recommendation applies to at least eight hours daily. In summer, raise the cooling setpoint while away, while accounting for comfort, pets, and moisture.
- Decide whether to make changes manually or automate them. A manual thermostat works if you will reliably make the changes. A programmable model can repeat a schedule; a smart model may add app, learning, or occupancy features.
- Review comfort and system guidance. If a change causes discomfort or you have a heat pump, variable-capacity equipment, zoning, or uncertain wiring, consult the equipment and thermostat instructions before changing the schedule or hardware.
- Revisit the schedule when life changes. School breaks, shift work, guests, vacations, and a new pet can change occupancy. A schedule that was efficient in one season may be wrong when the home’s routine changes.
Do not program a setback simply because the thermostat offers many periods. Two or three well-chosen periods can be enough. If nobody can predict when the home will be occupied, manual control or a smart thermostat’s remote access may be more practical than repeatedly editing a fixed program.
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What can make thermostat advice a poor fit?
A recommended setting is only a starting point; it cannot account for every household or HVAC system. Pause before applying a generic setback if comfort, moisture, pets, or equipment requirements point in a different direction.
- Comfort differs. The DOE says to set the winter temperature as low as is comfortable, not to hold every home at a single prescribed number.
- Pets and household needs matter. DOE summer guidance and consumer advice both make clear that conditions in the home should shape cooling choices. Do not assume an empty house has no comfort considerations.
- Moisture is not the same as temperature. DOE advises keeping the cooling system running to avoid moisture buildup that could produce mold. Consider humidity and the home’s conditions when raising a summer setpoint.
- Heat pumps and variable-capacity systems may need different controls. Avoid assuming that a setback strategy or replacement thermostat works identically across all equipment. Follow manufacturer guidance; ENERGY STAR notes that variable-capacity systems generally perform best with the recommended thermostat.
- Wiring and system complexity can affect installation. A C-wire, an adapter, zoning, or variable-speed equipment can affect compatibility. Check before buying, and seek professional help when necessary.
- Thermostat location can affect readings. The control should be operated and installed according to the equipment maker’s instructions; a reading that does not represent the occupied space can lead to unwanted calls for heating or cooling.
- Incentives are local. The FTC suggests checking with local utilities or sellers for offers. Do not assume a rebate is available in every area or applies to every thermostat.
What should you check before buying a thermostat?
Verify that the thermostat works with your specific HVAC system and wiring before comparing convenience features. A thermostat that cannot control the equipment correctly will not deliver the schedule you want.
- Identify the HVAC system. Check whether your home has a heat pump, conventional heating and cooling, or another configuration, and whether the system is zoned or variable-capacity.
- Review the thermostat’s compatibility details. Confirm supported equipment and wiring. Check whether it requires a C-wire or an adapter.
- Check the equipment maker’s instructions. For variable-capacity heat pumps or air conditioners, ENERGY STAR says a manufacturer-recommended thermostat is generally the best fit.
- Decide which features you will use. A schedule may be enough; app control, learning, or occupancy-based changes may matter if they address a specific household need.
- Ask about installation if the setup is complex. For uncertain wiring, zoning, or variable-speed equipment, consult a qualified HVAC professional rather than guessing.
- Check local incentives. Ask your utility or a local seller whether any current offer applies to the thermostat and your home.
- Account for total cost. Compare the thermostat price, any adapter, installation, and the value of features you will actually use. A lower-cost programmable thermostat may meet the need for a reliable schedule, while a smart model may justify added cost when remote or occupancy control solves a recurring problem.
The FTC’s heating and cooling savings guide supports using manual changes or a programmable thermostat. ENERGY STAR’s efficient heating and cooling guidance and smart thermostat FAQ cover equipment compatibility and smart-thermostat considerations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What are common thermostat-setting mistakes?
- Treating 68–70°F as mandatory. It is DOE’s winter starting range for a home that is occupied, not a universal comfort rule.
- Ignoring the duration of the setback. The cited annual estimate assumes a 7–10°F reduction for at least eight hours daily. A brief, inconsistent change will not match that example.
- Assuming every heat pump behaves like a conventional system. Check the manufacturer’s recommendations before applying a large setback or changing controls.
- Choosing a smart thermostat before checking wiring. C-wire requirements, adapters, zones, and variable-capacity equipment can change the installation and cost.
- Cooling an empty home to the occupied setting. Raise the summer setpoint when away if household, pet, and moisture conditions allow it.
- Raising the summer setting without considering moisture. DOE specifically warns that moisture buildup can produce mold and recommends keeping cooling running to avoid that problem.
- Assuming a rebate is universal. Utility offers are location-specific and can have their own eligibility rules.
- Expecting a quoted savings figure on your bill. DOE and ENERGY STAR figures are qualified estimates; climate, equipment, occupancy, and comfort determine actual results.
How do you know whether the schedule is working?
Start with comfort and equipment operation, then look at energy use over comparable periods. If the home is comfortable during occupied hours, the system is not showing an equipment-specific problem, and the schedule is being followed, you have a practical basis for deciding whether to keep it. Weather and occupancy can change bills substantially, so avoid judging the schedule from a single billing cycle.
If the home never reaches the occupied setting, becomes uncomfortably humid, or the equipment behaves unexpectedly after a change, restore a comfortable setting and consult the thermostat or HVAC manufacturer’s guidance. A thermostat schedule is not a substitute for diagnosing an undersized, malfunctioning, or incompatible system.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much can a thermostat setback save on heating and cooling?
The DOE’s 2021 home heating and cooling guide says a one-degree setback over an eight-hour period can reduce heating bills by 1%. Its February 2024 guidance says a 7–10°F setback for at least eight hours daily can save as much as 10% per year on heating and cooling costs. These are general estimates, not reliable calculations for an individual household, and they should not be combined into a guaranteed result.
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What temperature should I set at night in winter?
Begin with the DOE’s occupied winter range of about 68–70°F, then lower it during sleep if everyone remains comfortable. DOE recommends a 7–10°F setback for at least eight hours a day, but a smaller change is reasonable when comfort or equipment guidance requires it.
Should I turn the air conditioning off when I leave?
Not automatically. Raise the cooling setpoint while away rather than maintaining the occupied temperature, but consider pets, household needs, humidity, and moisture. DOE advises keeping cooling running to avoid moisture buildup that could produce mold.
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They can be useful when app control, learning, or occupancy adjustments solve a real scheduling problem. ENERGY STAR’s approximate $100-a-year estimate applies to certain high-bill or frequently unoccupied homes, not every household, and actual savings vary. Compare the thermostat, adapter, installation, and compatibility requirements with a simpler programmable model.
Can I use a setback schedule with a heat pump?
Do not assume a standard setback works for every heat pump. ENERGY STAR says variable-capacity heat pumps generally perform best with a manufacturer-recommended thermostat. Check the equipment and thermostat instructions, and ask a qualified HVAC professional if the system type or controls are uncertain.
The Bottom Line
Start around 68–70°F in winter while home, set back 7–10°F for at least eight hours when sleeping or away if comfortable, and use the highest comfortable cooling setting in summer. Choose manual, programmable, or smart control based on your routine and verify compatibility—especially for heat pumps, variable-capacity equipment, zones, and C-wire requirements.
