Best thermostat settings for winter to save money

Quick answer: Aim for about 68°F when you're home and awake (the DOE suggests 68–70°F), and set it 7–10°F lower for about 8 hours while you sleep or are out. The U.S. Department of Energy says that kind of setback can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling. Heat pump owners should use smaller setbacks (or a heat-pump-aware thermostat) so the system doesn't fall back on expensive backup heat.

Key takeaways

• 68°F while you're home and awake in winter, 78°F when home in summer (DOE guidance).
• A 7–10°F setback for about 8 hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling.
• Heat pumps like small setbacks (2–4°F) — big ones can switch on costly backup heat.
• ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostats save about 8% on heating and cooling on average.
• Turning the heat down doesn't make your system "work harder" later — you still save.

A smart thermostat only saves money if the schedule behind it is right. Below is a simple winter schedule, how to adapt it for your heating system, and the settings worth turning on.

#A simple winter schedule

Adjust the times to your routine. If someone is home all day, keep the daytime setback smaller or skip it. Comfort matters: a schedule you keep overriding saves nothing.

#Why setbacks save money

Your home loses heat faster the bigger the gap between indoor and outdoor temperatures. When you let the house cool down, it loses heat more slowly, so the system uses less fuel overall — even counting the energy to warm back up. That is why the DOE says a setback saves energy rather than "making the furnace work harder later".

#Adjust for your heating system

Gas or oil furnace, boiler with radiators

Full 7–10°F setbacks work well. Furnaces warm a house quickly, so start warming about 30 minutes before you wake up or get home.

Heat pump

Be careful with deep setbacks. When a heat pump needs to raise the temperature a lot, many systems switch on auxiliary (resistance) heat strips, which use far more electricity and can wipe out your savings. The DOE notes that standard programmable thermostats are generally not recommended for heat pumps for this reason.

• Use smaller setbacks, around 2–4°F.
• Choose a thermostat with a heat pump mode that warms up gradually or limits auxiliary heat.
• Set an auxiliary heat lockout temperature if your thermostat supports it, so backup heat runs only when it's truly cold outside. Ask your HVAC installer for the right setting for your system.

Radiant floor or steam heat

These systems respond slowly — it can take several hours to warm up — so start warming earlier, or use a thermostat that learns how long your system needs.

#Smart thermostat features worth turning on

• Geofencing / away mode: uses your phone's location to set back automatically when everyone leaves.
• Adaptive recovery / early start: learns how long your home takes to warm up and starts just early enough.
• Room sensors: average the temperature across rooms, or focus on the bedroom at night.
• Energy reports: monthly runtime reports help you spot problems like a dirty filter or a failing part.
• Utility programs: many utilities offer bill credits or rebates if you enroll your thermostat in demand-response events.

#Common thermostat mistakes

• Cranking it to 80°F to warm up faster. A furnace heats at the same speed no matter the setting — you'll just overshoot.
• Putting the thermostat in a bad spot. Near a sunny window, a lamp, a kitchen or a drafty door, it reads the wrong temperature.
• Using "Emergency heat" on a heat pump when nothing is wrong. That runs only the expensive backup heat.
• Switching the fan to "On". Leave the fan on "Auto" in winter so it doesn't blow cooler air between cycles.

#Is a smart thermostat worth buying?

If you have a regular schedule and you already set your thermostat back by hand, a smart thermostat saves you the effort more than it saves extra money. If you forget to adjust it, have an irregular schedule or want room sensors, it can pay for itself through automatic setbacks — especially when your utility offers a rebate.

Check compatibility before you buy: many smart thermostats need a C-wire (common wire) for power, and heat pumps, dual-fuel systems and multi-stage equipment need a model that supports them. Some newer thermostats also work with Matter, so you can control them from Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa or SmartThings — see our Matter smart home guide.

#Year-round setting cheat sheet

#How much will you save? Rule of thumb

The DOE estimates roughly 1% savings for each degree of setback over 8 hours.

Example: You spend $1,500 a year on heating. Setting back 8°F for 8 hours each night saves about 8% — around $120 a year. Add an 8-hour daytime setback while you're at work and savings can approach $200+.

#Summer settings matter too

• Set 78°F when you're home; use ceiling fans (counter-clockwise) to feel 4°F cooler.
• Raise it when you leave — smart thermostats can pre-cool before you return.
• Close blinds on sunny windows in the afternoon.
• Keep the thermostat away from lamps, TVs and direct sun, which make it think the room is hotter.

#Thermostat placement tips

• On an inside wall, about 5 ft off the floor
• Away from doors, windows, vents, kitchens and sunlight
• In a room you actually use — often a hallway near the living area

#Frequently asked questions

What is the most energy-efficient thermostat setting in winter?

The lowest temperature you are comfortable with. The DOE suggests about 68–70°F while you are awake and home, and lower while you sleep or are away.

Is it cheaper to leave the heat on all day?

No, for furnaces and boilers. Letting the house cool while you are out uses less energy overall. Heat pumps are the exception — use small setbacks so they don't trigger backup heat.

What temperature should I set my thermostat at night in winter?

Around 60–62°F works for most people with a furnace. Use warmer bedding and let the thermostat warm the house shortly before you wake.

What temperature should I leave my house at when I'm on vacation in winter?

Many people use 55–60°F. Don't go below 55°F in freezing weather — it raises the risk of frozen pipes. See how to prevent frozen pipes.

Is 65°F too cold for a house in winter?

Not for most healthy adults, especially with warm clothing. Keep at least 68°F if there are infants, older adults or people with health conditions in the home.

Do smart thermostats really save money?

Yes, on average. ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostats save about 8% on heating and cooling bills, mainly by automating setbacks.

Should I turn the heat off when I leave?

Turn it down, not off — around 55–62°F — to save energy while protecting pipes and avoiding a long recovery time.

#Sources

• U.S. Department of Energy — Thermostats
• Carrier — What temperature should I set my thermostat?
• ENERGY STAR — Smart thermostats