Your thermostat is the single dial in your home that controls the biggest slice of your energy bill. Heating and cooling are typically the largest energy use in most American homes, so a few smart settings can add up to real money without making you miserable. Here is the best thermostat setting to save money in every season, and how to build a schedule that fits your life.
Quick answer: A good starting point is about 68°F in winter when you’re home (lower when asleep or away) and about 78°F in summer when you’re home (higher when away). Each degree of setback can trim heating or cooling costs a little. Savings vary by home, climate, equipment and local rates, so treat these as starting points and adjust for comfort and health.
Why the thermostat setting matters so much
Your heating and cooling system works harder the bigger the gap between the temperature inside and the temperature outside. Shrink that gap, and the system runs less. That’s the whole idea behind every tip in this guide.
A rule of thumb you’ll often see is that setting your thermostat back several degrees for about eight hours a day can trim your heating and cooling costs by a modest percentage. The exact number depends on your climate, your insulation and your equipment, so don’t expect a guaranteed figure. What you can expect is that the effect is real and costs nothing to try.
The best thermostat setting in winter
For most households, the sweet spot is around 68°F while you’re home and awake. If that feels chilly, try 69 or 70 and work your way down one degree at a time over a couple of weeks. Your body adjusts faster than you’d think, especially with a sweater and warm socks.
When you’re asleep
Dropping the temperature a few degrees at night, often to somewhere in the low-to-mid 60s, is a popular setback. Extra blankets are far cheaper than extra heat. If you’re running a gas or oil furnace, our guide on how to lower your gas bill in winter has more cold-weather moves.
When you’re away
If the house is empty for a workday or longer, set it back a few degrees, commonly into the low 60s, and have it warm up shortly before you return. For long vacations, many people set a safe minimum, often around 55°F, so pipes are protected from freezing.
Every degree you can comfortably let your home drift is a little money left in your pocket.
The best thermostat setting in summer
In hot weather, many households aim for about 78°F while home and a few degrees higher, such as 82–85°F, when nobody’s there. Going from, say, 72 to 78 can noticeably reduce cooling costs, though the amount varies by home and climate.
Don’t let the number scare you. Ceiling fans make a room feel several degrees cooler because the moving air helps your skin shed heat. Just remember to turn them off when you leave, since fans cool people, not empty rooms.
Make a warmer setting feel comfortable
- Close blinds and curtains on sun-facing windows during the day.
- Run cooking, laundry and dishwashers in the cooler evening hours.
- Wear light clothes and keep water handy.
- Use a fan near where you sit or sleep.
For a longer list, see our roundup of 25 ways to lower your electric bill in summer.
A simple year-round settings cheat sheet
Use this table as a starting point, then adjust to what feels right for your household. These are typical suggestions, not rules, and your best numbers will depend on your home and health needs.
| Situation | Winter (heating) | Summer (cooling) |
|---|---|---|
| Home and awake | About 68°F | About 78°F |
| Asleep | Low-to-mid 60s | Around 78°F or a bit warmer with a fan |
| Away for the workday | Low 60s | 82–85°F |
| Away for days | Safe minimum, often around 55°F | Higher setting, avoid extreme heat for pets or plants |
How to set up a money-saving schedule: step by step
- Map your week. Write down when you wake up, leave, return and go to bed. Weekends often look different from weekdays.
- Pick your comfort temperatures. Start with 68°F in winter or 78°F in summer for “home” periods.
- Add setbacks. Program a few degrees of change for sleep and away times.
- Time the recovery. Set the system to reach your comfort temperature about 30 to 60 minutes before you wake or arrive.
- Test for two weeks. Adjust one degree at a time until it feels right.
- Compare your bills. Look at the same month last year, keeping weather differences in mind.
If your thermostat is the old dial kind, a basic programmable model can handle all of this. Many smart thermostats also learn your patterns and let you adjust from your phone.
Money move: Before buying a new thermostat, call your electric or gas utility and ask, “Do you offer rebates or free smart thermostats?” Many utilities do, and some run programs that reward you for easing your usage on peak days. Confirm details with the utility, since offers vary.
Do smart thermostats pay for themselves?
They can, but they’re not magic. A smart thermostat saves money mainly by automating setbacks you’d otherwise forget, and by trimming run time when nobody’s home. If you already diligently adjust a basic thermostat, the extra savings may be small.
Typical smart thermostats cost roughly $100 to $250, with prices varying by brand and features, and some come free or discounted through utilities. Check energy efficiency tax credits and local rebates before you buy, since availability and rules change.
The best thermostat is the one you actually program, whether it costs $25 or $250.
Special cases: heat pumps, time-of-use rates and tricky homes
Heat pumps
Heat pumps usually work best with smaller, gradual changes. A big overnight setback can trigger backup heating strips that cost more to run, which cancels your savings. Look for a thermostat made for heat pumps or follow your installer’s guidance. Our guide to when a heat pump switch pays off explains more.
Time-of-use rates
If your utility charges more during certain hours, your thermostat can help you dodge the priciest window. Pre-cool or pre-heat slightly before the expensive period, then ease off during it. Learn how this works in time of use rates: how they work and how to save.
Homes with health needs
Babies, older adults, and people with certain medical conditions can be more sensitive to heat and cold. Don’t push savings past what’s safe. If someone in your home depends on cooling or heating for health reasons, ask your utility about medical certificates or protections, and talk with a healthcare provider about safe temperature ranges.
Get more from every degree: free fixes that help
A perfect setting can’t overcome a leaky house. A few low-cost fixes make your thermostat settings go further:
- Seal drafts around doors and windows with weatherstripping or caulk.
- Change your HVAC filter on schedule, usually every one to three months, so the system breathes easily.
- Don’t block vents with furniture or rugs.
- Keep the thermostat away from direct sun, lamps and drafts that can fool its sensor.
- Use curtains smartly: open on sunny winter days, closed on hot summer afternoons.
Want a professional look? See how to get a free home energy audit from your utility, which can pinpoint where your home is losing the most energy.
What if even a smart setting isn’t enough?
Sometimes the problem isn’t the thermostat, it’s the bill itself. If heating or cooling costs are squeezing your budget, you have options. Start with our complete guide to lowering your electric bill, and check the average electric bill by state and home size to see how your usage compares.
If you’re falling behind, reach out early. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible households with heating and cooling costs, and many utilities offer hardship funds or payment plans. Contact your state LIHEAP office, your utility, or dial 211 to confirm current eligibility and amounts. Our help paying bills guide collects programs worth knowing. A level monthly payment through budget billing can also make seasonal swings easier to manage.
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Key takeaways
- A good starting point is about 68°F in winter and about 78°F in summer when you’re home.
- Set back a few degrees when you’re asleep or away; the gap you shrink is the money you save.
- Fans, blankets, blinds and sealed drafts make efficient settings comfortable.
- Smart thermostats help most by automating habits; check utility rebates before buying.
- Heat pumps and time-of-use rates need gentler, smarter scheduling.
- Never sacrifice health or safety, and ask LIHEAP, your utility or 211 for help if bills are too high.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best thermostat setting to save money in winter?
A common starting point is about 68°F while you’re home and awake, then a few degrees lower while you sleep or are away. Every degree you can comfortably drop helps a little, but comfort and health come first, especially for older adults, babies and anyone with a medical condition.
What is the best thermostat setting to save money in summer?
Many households aim for around 78°F when home and a few degrees warmer when away. Pair it with ceiling fans, which cool people rather than rooms, and close blinds on sunny windows to make a higher setting feel comfortable.
Is it cheaper to leave the thermostat at one temperature all day?
Usually not. A home that is allowed to drift toward outdoor temperatures while you’re out or asleep generally uses less energy than one held at a constant setting. The savings vary with your home, climate and equipment, and heat pumps may need gentler adjustments.
Do smart thermostats really save money?
They can, mostly by making setbacks automatic so you don’t have to remember. Savings depend on your habits, climate and system, and a basic programmable thermostat used well can do much of the same job. Check whether your utility offers a rebate before you buy.
What if I can’t afford to heat or cool my home comfortably?
Help exists. The federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps eligible households with heating and cooling costs, and many utilities have hardship funds. Contact your state LIHEAP office, your utility, or 211 to confirm current eligibility and amounts.
Bill Reduction Institute is an independent publication and may earn referral fees from partners. That never changes our advice, and savings figures here are typical ranges that vary by area, provider and home.