Ideal Thermostat Temperature Settings for Summer & Winter

If you live in an area with seasonal weather, then you might be familiar with the struggle of finding the “right” thermostat temperature — especially if you live with other people who have different opinions on what the “best” temperature is.

Determining the right temperature where you feel comfortable and can keep your energy bills low can be a challenge; but it is definitely worth the effort. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE), you can “save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting.”

ENERGY STAR, the DoE and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) energy efficiency program, estimates that homeowners can save about $180 a year by properly setting their programmable thermostats to match and maintain those settings.

So let’s settle any debates with an overview of the recommended “ideal” temperatures for the summer and winter months, plus additional considerations for children, pets and plants.

Recommended Thermostat Temperature for Summer

According to the DoE, when you’re at home during the day in the summer you’ll want to find a balance between 70-78 degrees. The lower end of 70 degrees is the ideal summer temperature for comfort, while 78 degrees is ideal for energy savings while staying comfortable.

Your level of comfort will also be affected by humidity levels, which can make it feel hotter inside your house and will force air conditioning units to work harder in removing moisture from the air. For example, if you’re in a drier climate, you can shoot for the lower end of around 70 degrees. However, if you’re in a humid area or are experiencing a heat wave, try getting by at the upper range of 78 degrees.

At night, ENERGY STAR recommends making a 4 degree higher adjustment during sleep. If you’re looking for the most energy savings at night, set a temperature of around 82 degrees.

When you’re leaving the house, ENERGY STAR recommends raising the temperature by around 7 degrees to around 85-88 degrees. As the interior temperature of the house rises to match the outside temperature, you’ll lose less cool air to the environment so your system won’t need to work as hard. Reset the temperature back to the 70-78 degree range when you get home.

Recommended Temperature and Thermostat Setting for Summer 

Energy saver tip — Don’t worry about working your furnace or AC “harder” when you return by setting your temperatures to different levels while you’re out or asleep — they’ll work at the same efficiency regardless. However, when you get home, don’t set the temperature higher or lower than the recommended settings in an effort to speed up the heating or cooling process. According to the DOE, that assumption doesn’t actually work. Plus, the unnecessary heating or cooling could end up costing you more.

What Temperature Should You Set Your Thermostat When on Vacation in Summer? 

While you’re on a vacation in the summer, setting your thermostat to a range of 80 to 85° Fahrenheit allows your air conditioner to run occasionally, helping to control humidity levels. 

This prevents excessive moisture buildup, which can lead to mold and mildew, while also avoiding the strain of cooling down a significantly overheated house upon your return. If you have pets or plants at home, consider their specific needs—certain pets and delicate plants may require a slightly cooler setting 

Recommended Thermostat Temperatures for Winter 

When you’re active at home during the day in the winter months, the DoE recommends setting the thermostat temperature between 68-70 degrees. The higher end is more comfortable, while the lower end of 68 degrees will provide you with more energy savings.

At night, avoid the temptation to raise the thermostat higher as the outside temperatures drop. If you’re feeling a little chilly at night, put on slippers, some extra comfortable layers of clothing and grab an extra blanket.

When you go to bed, you want to follow the same ENERGY STAR adjustment of 4 degrees, this time dropping the temperature down to between 64-66 degrees. Not only does this save even more on heating and electricity, the cooler temperature can aid in your quality of sleep.

When you’re away from home, setback your thermostat by 8 degrees to drop the temperature of your house to around 60-62 degrees. Just like what happens in the summer, as the temperature in the house gets closer to the outside temperature, you’ll start to lose less heat, which means your furnace won’t need to work as hard.

Recommended Thermostat Setting for Winter 

What Temperature Should You Set Your Thermostat When on Vacation in Winter?  

You should set your thermostat settings to no lower than 55 degrees while you’re on vacation in the winter. Maintaining a minimum indoor temperature of 55°F ensures that the warmth is sufficient to prevent these issues, even in colder areas of the home like basements. Additionally, keeping the temperature at this level reduces the chance of excessive moisture buildup, which can lead to mold growth—a common problem in cool, damp environments. 

When the temperature inside your home drops too low, there’s a risk of water freezing in your pipes, which can cause them to burst and lead to costly repairs. Similarly, appliances that rely on water can freeze and get damaged if the temperature in your home is too low. 

Recommended Thermostat Settings for Spring and Fall 

Setting your thermostat can be more challenging during spring and fall because the weather changes a lot. Some days you might need heating, while on others, you might need cooling. To handle this, you can program both a maximum temperature for cooling and a minimum for heating into your programable thermostat to keep your home comfy while saving energy.  

Warmer Days: 

• Set your thermostat to 78°F when you’re home during the day. 

• Raise it to 86°F if you’re not at home. 

Cooler Days: 

• Keep it at 68°F when you’re home and awake. 

• Lower it to 65°F when sleeping, and to 60°F if you’re away. 

Modern thermostats often have an “Auto” mode, which lets you set a temperature range so your system switches between heating and cooling as needed. This range is called the “deadband,” and it’s the buffer zone where the system doesn’t run. This approach helps maintain a comfortable indoor temperature while saving energy by reducing unnecessary heating or cooling. 

Eco Friendly Thermostat Temperature Settings

Eco friendly temps are also wallet friendly, so you can take comfort that you’re saving money and helping to protect the environment. 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer may feel a bit extreme, but they’re at the range where the temperature will still feel comfortable while also being energy efficient.

The most important adjustment you need to note is to set the temperature lower in the winter and higher in the summer when you’re not in the house. As the interior temperature of your house gets closer to the temperature outside, the transfer of energy slows down. That means lower interior temps in the winter result in less heat lost to the outside environment and vice versa for the summer.

If you’re ever unsure about what’s an eco-friendly range for temperature, check your thermostat’s display. Modern smart thermostats will often show an ‘eco’ or ‘leaf’ icon when the temperature is set where it should be.

Can You Set a Thermostat to Turn on at Certain Temperature? 

You can set your thermostat to turn on at a certain temperature! Most thermostats (mostly smart thermostats) are designed to activate your heating or cooling system when the indoor temperature deviates from your set preference. Here’s how they work: 

• Temperature Sensing: Thermostats monitor the current room temperature using sensors like bimetallic strips or electronic components.  

• Comparison: The device compares the sensed temperature to your desired setting. 

• Activation: If there’s a difference, the thermostat signals your HVAC system to heat or cool the space until the set temperature is achieved. 

Programmable and smart thermostats enhance this functionality by allowing you to set specific temperatures for different times and days, optimizing comfort and energy efficiency. 

Heating and Cooling FAQs

What if I have a heat pump system?

According to the DoE, when heat pumps are in cooling mode, they act like air conditioners, so turning up the thermostat in summer can save energy and money. However, in winter, turning down the thermostat can cause the heat pump to operate inefficiently, canceling out any energy or cost savings. If you have a heat pump or are thinking of installing one, check with the manufacturer as some newer models come with specially designed programmable thermostats to allow for changing temperature ranges.

What if I have steam heat or radiant floor heating?

The slower response time of steam heating and radiant floor heating systems can make temperature setbacks less efficient for steam heat and radiant flooring systems. However, some thermostats can track the performance of your heating system to determine when to turn it on in order to achieve comfortable temperatures at your programmed time.

Why are these the recommended temperatures?

The closer your interior temperature is to the outside, the more efficient your heating and cooling systems will be. These recommended settings are on the range of what feels comfortable while allowing your home to retain heat for longer during the winter and stay cooler during summer months.

Does a thermostat close when the temperature drops? 

Yes, a thermostat can “close” the circuit to your system when the temperature drops, depending on its design and function. Closing the thermostat circuit allows electrical power to flow to the heating system, which then generates heat to warm the space. This ensures the temperature stays within the comfortable range you’ve set.