Best Energy Saving Thermostat Settings for Summer and Winter

Direct answer: For most households, the best energy saving thermostat settings are 78°F (26°C) in summer when you are home and awake, and 68°F (20°C) in winter when you are home and awake. Lower the heating or raise the cooling by 7–10°F (4–6°C) when you are asleep or away to save about 10% annually on heating and cooling costs. These settings balance energy efficiency with household comfort, and you can adapt them to your schedule, budget, and climate.

What Are the Best Energy Saving Thermostat Settings for Summer?

The energy efficient thermostat settings summer recommended by the U.S. Department of Energy are 78°F (26°C) when you are at home and awake. This temperature is warm enough to reduce cooling costs significantly compared to lower settings, yet cool enough to be comfortable for most people, especially with ceiling fans or light clothing. When you are away from home for more than a few hours, set the thermostat to 85°F (29°C) or higher; this prevents the house from overheating while minimizing air conditioner runtime. At night, if you can sleep comfortably, raise the setting to 82°F (28°C) or use a programmable thermostat to start cooling an hour before you wake.

The trade-off is comfort: 78°F may feel warm if you are used to 72°F. You can adapt by gradually raising the setpoint by 1–2°F per week, using fans to create a wind-chill effect, and closing blinds during the hottest part of the day. If you have high humidity, a dehumidifier can make 78°F feel more comfortable because drier air feels cooler.

What Are the Best Energy Saving Thermostat Settings for Winter?

The energy efficient thermostat settings winter recommended are 68°F (20°C) when you are awake and at home. When you are asleep or away, lower the temperature by 7–10°F (4–6°C) to 58–61°F (14–16°C). This is often called the energy saving heater setting. Lowering your thermostat 7–10°F for 8 hours a day can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

For households with infants, elderly residents, or people with health conditions, 68°F may be too cool; in that case, choose the lowest comfortable setting and use extra layers or space heaters in occupied rooms only. To avoid frozen pipes in very cold climates, never set the thermostat below 55°F (13°C) when away, and consider opening cabinet doors under sinks to let warm air circulate.

How Do Thermostat Schedules Save Energy?

A thermostat schedule automatically adjusts heating and cooling based on your daily routine. A typical weekday schedule might be:

1. Wake: 6:00 AM – set to 68°F in winter or 78°F in summer.
2. Leave: 8:00 AM – set back 7–10°F (e.g., 58°F in winter, 85°F in summer).
3. Return: 5:00 PM – set to comfortable temperature.
4. Sleep: 10:00 PM – set back 7–10°F again.

You can use a programmable thermostat to follow this schedule automatically, or a smart thermostat that learns your patterns and adjusts settings for you. If your schedule varies, use a manual override or geo-fencing features that switch to away settings when you leave. The key is to avoid heating or cooling an empty house.

What Are Away Settings and Nighttime Temperature Recommendations?

Away settings are thermostat setpoints for when no one is home for an extended period. For summer, set the air conditioner to 85°F (29°C) or higher; for winter, set the heat to 55–60°F (13–16°C), depending on your climate and pipe freezing risk. These settings can reduce energy use by 10–30% during those hours.

Nighttime temperature can be adjusted for sleep comfort and savings. Many people sleep better in a cool room: in winter, 60–65°F (16–18°C) is often ideal under blankets; in summer, 75–80°F (24–27°C) with a fan may be enough. Experiment to find the highest summer or lowest winter setting that still allows restful sleep.

Comparison of Recommended Thermostat Settings

Situation	Summer Setting	Winter Setting	Notes
Home, awake	78°F (26°C)	68°F (20°C)	Energy-efficient baseline
Away ( >2 hours)	85°F (29°C) or higher	55–60°F (13–16°C)	Avoid pipe freezing in winter
Sleeping	82°F (28°C) or as high as comfortable	60–65°F (16–18°C)	Use fans/blankets to adjust
Maximum savings (if no one is home for days)	Off or 85–90°F (29–32°C)	50–55°F (10–13°C)	Check manufacturer guidelines

How Do You Adapt These Settings to Different Budgets, Schedules, and Weather?

Budget: If you cannot afford a smart thermostat, use a simple programmable model (starting around $25) or manually adjust the temperature when you leave and return. Even a consistent 5°F setback for 8 hours daily saves money. To reduce the impact of extreme outdoor temperatures, improve insulation, seal drafts, and use curtains strategically.

Schedule: For irregular schedules, a smart thermostat with occupancy sensors or geofencing can automatically switch to away mode when you leave and resume comfort settings when you return. If you work from home, set different zones or use a portable heater/fan in your office instead of heating or cooling the whole house.

Weather: In mild weather, you can turn off the HVAC system and open windows for natural ventilation. In extreme heat or cold, avoid setting back too aggressively if your system is undersized; it may struggle to recover and run inefficiently. For heat pumps, use special “smart setbacks” or limit winter setbacks to 5°F to avoid expensive auxiliary heat.

What Small Details Make These Settings Easier to Maintain?

• Install a programmable thermostat and set it once; check batteries twice a year.
• Use ceiling fans in occupied rooms: in summer, set them to spin counterclockwise to create a cooling breeze; in winter, reverse to clockwise at low speed to push warm air down.
• Keep vents and radiators clear of furniture and curtains to ensure proper airflow.
• Change HVAC filters every 1–3 months; dirty filters make the system work harder and use more energy.
• Use curtains or blinds: open them on sunny winter days to gain solar heat; close them on summer days to block heat.

By combining these habits with the recommended thermostat settings, you can reduce heating and cooling costs—often the largest part of home energy bills—without turning your home into an uncomfortable space.