Your preferred temperature settings should balance personal comfort with energy efficiency. If you’re looking to save more money on your utility bills, we recommend following energy-efficient recommendations from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and ENERGY STAR®.
Recommended Summer Thermostat Settings
While at Home
Most comfortable: 72-73 degrees
Most energy efficient: 78 degrees
Reducing the difference between outdoor and indoor temperatures will help keep your cooling bill in check. Keeping window treatments shut and running ceiling fans can help you feel cooler without turning down the thermostat.
While Away
Most energy efficient: 88 degrees
Turning your thermostat up 7-10 degrees while you’re gone can help you save 5-15% on electricity bills, according to the DOE.
While Sleeping
Most comfortable: 70 degrees
Most energy efficient: 82 degrees
Most people sleep better in a cool room, so experiment with temperatures for a week to find your sweet spot. You can start by setting your thermostat higher and gradually lowering it the next night. Try sleeping with fewer blankets and lighter pajamas.
Winter Thermostat Settings
While at Home
Most comfortable: 70-75
Most energy efficient: 68 degrees
Like in the summer, decreasing the difference between outdoor and indoor temperatures will keep your heating bills affordable. Open window treatments during the day, especially on south-facing windows, to take advantage of sunshine. You can also set your ceiling fan to run counterclockwise and redistribute warm air that’s risen.
While Away
Most energy efficient: 55 degrees
Like in the summer, the DOE says turning your thermostat down 7-10 degrees while you’re gone can help you save 5-15% on heating costs.
While Sleeping
Most comfortable: 70 degrees
Most energy efficient: 60-65 degrees
Like in the summer, we recommend setting your thermostat lower and gradually raising it to find the temperature that works best for you. You can also try sleeping with fleece sheets, warmer pajamas and thicker blankets.
Staying on top of energy-efficient thermostat settings is easy when you have a smart thermostat from AC Mechanical. These thermostats learn your preferred temperatures and create an energy-efficient schedule to match. Some models know when you’re home or away, and can adjust temperatures to help you save on heating and cooling costs. Plus, you can monitor and adjust your thermostat from nearly anywhere with your phone.
