Thermostat Tips for Fall & Winter: Save Energy, Save Money
As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, your thermostat becomes one of the most important tools for staying comfortable at home. It also plays in your utility bills. Making smart adjustments during colder months can keep your household cozy while helping you cut down on heating costs.
If you’ve ever wondered about the best temperature to set a thermostat to in winter to save money, you’re not alone. Here are some practical tips for both manual and smart thermostat users.
The Proper Indoor Temperature for Comfort and Savings
During the Fall season, the U.S. Department of Energy recommend setting your thermostat to about 68°F during the day when you’re at home and lowering it at night or when you’re away. This balance offers a proper indoor temperature for comfort while reducing unnecessary energy use. As for the best thermostat setting in the winter, here’s a good matrix:
- Daytime: 68°F is the sweet spot for most households. If you find it a little cool, consider layering clothing or using blankets instead of raising the thermostat.
- Nighttime: Dropping the temperature to around 60–68°F while you sleep can lower costs further without sacrificing comfort (a heavier comforter often makes this temperature feel just right).
- Away from home: If no one is home for several hours, turning the thermostat down 7–10 degrees can yield noticeable savings.
These adjustments are easy to make with manual thermostats, but even easier with programmable and smart options that do the work for you.
Recommended Thermostat Settings for Summer and Winter
Thermostat habits should shift with the seasons. In summer, aim for around 78°F when you’re home and warmer settings when you’re away to minimize cooling costs. The thermostat setting in the winter should generally be cooler — around 68°F when home, lower when sleeping or away.
This contrast is why many guides reference recommended thermostat settings for summer and winter together: The goal is always to strike the right balance between comfort and efficiency.
Why Smart Thermostats Make a Difference
If remembering to adjust your thermostat multiple times a day feels like a hassle, smart thermostats can help. Honeywell Home smart thermostats allow you to:
- Schedule automatically: Create heating schedules that match your daily routine.
- Use auto-away feature: Let the thermostat adjust itself when you leave the house or return.
- Monitor energy use: Get insights into your heating habits and learn where savings are possible.
- Control remotely: Adjust the thermostat setting in the winter from your phone while you’re away.
These features mean you don’t have to choose between convenience and savings. You can have both.
Extra Tips for Saving Energy in Colder Months
- Seal drafts: Even the right thermostat setting won’t help if heat is escaping through cracks or poorly sealed windows.
- Use ceiling fans: Running fans clockwise on a low setting helps push warm air down into living spaces.
- Layer clothing: A sweater and blanket often make it easier to keep the thermostat lower.
- Humidify the air: Proper humidity can make cooler air feel warmer, reducing the need to raise the temperature.
Together, these strategies help maximize the impact of your thermostat settings.
| Situation | Recommended Setting | Why It Works |
| Daytime (home) | 68°F | Balances comfort with energy savings. |
| Nighttime (sleeping) | 60–68°F | Saves energy while you stay comfortable under blankets. |
| Away for several hours | Lower by 7–10°F | Reduces costs without impacting comfort when you return. |
| Vacation (winter travel) | 55–60°F | Keeps pipes from freezing while avoiding waste. |
| Smart thermostat users | Create schedules or use geofencing | Automates savings without manual adjustments. |
Finding the best temperature to set a thermostat in winter to save money doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort. For most households, aiming for 68°F during the day, lowering it while asleep or away, and making small adjustments around your routine will keep bills manageable.
Whether you use a manual thermostat or a smart model, the right thermostat setting in the winter helps balance comfort and savings. And when paired with Honeywell Home products, these recommended thermostat settings for summer and winter become even easier to maintain.
Your home should feel comfortable without costing more than it needs to. With a focus on the proper indoor temperature, you’ll enjoy the best of both worlds — warmth and savings all season long.