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A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Start at 68°–70°F (20°–21°C) when you are home and awake. Then adjust until the room is comfortable. Lower the setting during sleep or while everyone is away when your heating system can recover efficiently and the lower temperature remains safe for your household.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) describes 68°–70°F as a starting point, not a required temperature. Your best setting depends on comfort, outdoor weather, insulation, fuel, equipment and daily routine.
Why 68°–70°F is a useful starting point
DOE Energy Saver guidance published February 2, 2024, says to set the winter thermostat “as low as is comfortable” at home and recommends starting around 68°–70°F, then adjusting as needed. That range balances typical comfort with lower heat demand, but it is not a legal standard or a universally comfortable temperature.
DOE also stated on August 21, 2019, that Americans should set thermostats to whatever temperature they choose. Someone who is sedentary, very young, older, ill or especially sensitive to cold may reasonably choose a higher setting. Others may be comfortable lower, particularly with warm clothing and good air sealing.
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- ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat for home that helps you save energy and stay comfortable.Connectivity : Wi-Fi - 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz, 802.11a/n 5 GHz Wi-Fi., Wireless interconnect : Bluetooth Low Energy Please refer to the product description section below for all applicable legal disclaimers.Product note: You can also check your system’s compatibility before purchasing a Nest thermostat with our online Nest Compatibility Checker on the Google Nest support page
- The Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C wire in most homes, but for some systems, including heating only, cooling only, zone controlled, and heat pump systems, you’ll need a C wire or other compatible power accessory
- Nest Thermostat turns itself down when you leave, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty home. Lock feature: No
- Programmable thermostat that lets you create an energy efficient schedule in the Google Home app on your Android or iPhone
- Remote control lets family members change the thermostat temperature from anywhere on a phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
How much can a lower setting save?
DOE estimates that lowering the thermostat by 7°–10°F for at least eight hours per day can save as much as 10% per year on heating and cooling costs. “As much as” is important: the figure is a maximum estimate, not a guaranteed result. Actual savings vary with climate, weather, insulation, air leakage, equipment, fuel prices and how consistently the schedule is followed.
Lowering the indoor target reduces the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, so the building loses heat more slowly. A setback saves only during the hours it is maintained; raising the thermostat far above your normal setting does not make a system heat faster.
A practical winter schedule
Use four periods if your thermostat supports them. The exact temperatures should reflect comfort and the type of heating system.
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- An Alexa thermostat - Amazon Smart Thermostat is an easy way to switch from a traditional thermostats for homes and help reduce energy usage.
- Create comfort zones throughout your home by connecting to select Alexa devices to automatically adjust heating and cooling based on temperature readings or presence detection.
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- Save energy - According to EPA estimates, ENERGY STAR certified thermostats save an average of $90 on yearly energy bills.
- Programmable thermostat and automatic control - Create your own home, away and sleep schedules, or have Alexa automatically control the temperature with Alexa+ advanced features.
| Period | Starting setting | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Home and awake | 68°–70°F (20°–21°C) | Adjust upward or downward for comfort. |
| Sleeping | 7°–10°F below the occupied setting, where appropriate | Try a lower setting for at least eight hours; use a smaller change if recovery is inefficient. |
| Away for the day | Lower than the occupied setting | Schedule the setback only when the home is unoccupied and the system can recover reliably. |
| Return or wake-up | Occupied setting | Program the recovery to begin early enough for comfort, without setting an unnecessarily high target. |
The EPA gives a more aggressive example of 68°F during the day and 60°F at night. Treat that as an example, not a universal prescription.
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Usually, yes for furnaces and many electric-resistance systems, provided everyone remains comfortable and the equipment can recover normally. A programmable or smart thermostat makes an eight-hour setback automatic, avoiding the need to remember it each evening.
Check the time required to warm the home again. If recovery is so slow that occupants raise the setting repeatedly, use a smaller setback. The most efficient schedule is one the household can follow consistently without defeating it with manual overrides.
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- Save up to 23% every year on heating and cooling costs, adjusts to your set schedule to save energy when you’re gone and optimize comfort when you’re home. Compared to a hold of 72
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- Change your temperature by easily tapping the color touchscreen or using the ecobee app. Plus, free software upgrades ensure you get the best out of your Smart Thermostat Essential, for years to come
- Automatically adjusts to your set schedule to save energy when you’re gone and optimize comfort when you’re home. Keep track of your energy consumption when you're on the go on the ecobee app
- Easy DIY install. No C Wire, no problem. Get the ecobee Power Extender Kit (PEK) for homes without a C-Wire and keep your walls looking nice with our trim kit – both sold separately
Check your heating system before using a large setback
Heat pumps
Heat pumps need special care. Vermont Energy Saver warns that a winter setback can make a heat pump operate inefficiently and can erase the expected savings if recovery activates auxiliary or emergency heat. Follow the manufacturer’s or installer’s guidance, watch whether auxiliary heat appears during recovery, and test a modest setback before adopting a 7°–10°F change.
Heat-pump controls should preserve any installed supplementary heat, emergency heat, fan-only and ventilation functions. A thermostat that is not configured for the system can create comfort, cost or equipment-control problems.
Hydronic (hot-water or steam) heat
Hydronic systems respond slowly because water, radiators and building materials take time to warm. The DC Weatherization Field Guide notes that ordinary programmable thermostats may not work effectively with hydronic systems. Confirm that the thermostat and control strategy are compatible before replacing the control or programming rapid temperature changes.
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- EASY DIY INSTALLATION: Do it yourself fast with a built-in level and simple step-by-step instructions. Works with the HVAC equipment found in most homes
- COMMON WIRE REQUIREMENTS: Common wire(C-Wire) required for heat pump and heat/cool only systems. C-wire not required on most systems
- SAVE ABOUT 23% ON HVAC ENERGY: ENERGY STAR-certified and packed with features that help you save money, including flexible scheduling, geofencing, remote access and usage reports
- PRIVACY PROTECTION: Sensi won’t sell your personal information to third parties or leverage your thermostat activity data for targeting or advertising purposes
- CONTROL FROM ANYWHERE: The top-rated mobile app for Android and iOS devices makes it easy to control your comfort from a smartphone or tablet
Furnaces and electric resistance
These systems commonly tolerate scheduled setbacks, but recovery time still depends on insulation, air leakage, outdoor temperature and equipment capacity. If rooms do not reach the occupied setting by the scheduled time, reduce the setback or move the recovery start earlier rather than choosing an extreme target.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Choosing a thermostat for winter savings
The right thermostat is the one that matches your HVAC equipment and makes the intended schedule dependable.
| Thermostat type | Useful capability | Important check |
|---|---|---|
| Programmable | Automatic occupied, sleep and away periods | Verify wiring and compatibility with your HVAC type. |
| ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat | Scheduling, remote access and some energy-use feedback | Confirm compatibility, especially for heat pumps and auxiliary heat. |
| Basic manual thermostat | Simple direct control | Requires manual changes, so routine setbacks are easier to forget. |
ENERGY STAR certification testing requires a lower-bound weighted-average heating runtime reduction of at least 8% and cooling reduction of at least 10%. Those are certification-test criteria, not a promise that every home will achieve those savings.
- HVAC compatibility: Check gas furnace, electric resistance, heat-pump, dual-fuel and hydronic requirements.
- Auxiliary and emergency heat: Make sure the thermostat controls these modes correctly where installed.
- Scheduling and recovery: Look for enough periods and recovery behavior that suit your routine.
- Connectivity: Remote access and occupancy sensing can help, but they are not substitutes for correct setup.
- Utility programs: Some utilities offer voluntary smart-thermostat demand-response incentives. Availability, enrollment rules and payments are local; check with your utility before buying.
A step-by-step way to find your setting
- Set the thermostat to 68°–70°F while the household is home and awake.
- After several occupied periods, adjust by 1°F at a time until comfort is acceptable.
- Record the normal occupied setting and choose a sleep or away reduction your system can recover from without excessive auxiliary heat.
- Program the schedule on a compatible programmable or smart thermostat.
- Observe recovery: check whether the home reaches the occupied target on time and whether a heat pump calls for auxiliary or emergency heat.
- If recovery is late, uncomfortable or expensive, reduce the setback, extend the recovery period or consult the equipment installer.
Common mistakes that erase savings
- Assuming 68°F is mandatory instead of adjusting for household comfort.
- Using a furnace-style large setback on a heat pump without checking auxiliary-heat behavior.
- Installing a programmable thermostat on a hydronic system without confirming control compatibility.
- Setting an extreme recovery temperature; it does not heat the home faster.
- Ignoring local utility rules when enrolling in demand-response programs.
When a contractor or installer should review the setup
Ask for professional help if the thermostat wiring is unclear, the system has multiple heat sources, auxiliary or emergency heat runs unexpectedly, or a hydronic system does not respond as programmed. A compatibility check before purchase is less costly than troubleshooting an incorrectly controlled HVAC system.
Quick Recap
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