The Best Thermostat Settings for a Comfortable Home Year-Round

Unlock the secret to year-round comfort with our guide on the best thermostat settings for your home. Save energy and maintain the perfect temperature in every season. Read now for cozy, cost-effective living!

Maintaining a comfortable home is all about finding a balance between temperature, energy efficiency, and personal comfort. With rising energy costs and environmental concerns, setting your thermostat wisely can have a significant impact on comfort, your wallet, and your carbon footprint.

Understanding Thermostat Basics

Most modern thermostats allow you to set different temperatures based on the time of day and even the day of the week. This means you can adjust for maximum comfort when you’re home and save energy when you’re not.

Thermostat recommendations also vary depending on whether or not you have central heating and cooling or specific heating methods. 

Winter Thermostat Settings

Winter often brings colder weather, and with it can come higher energy bills as you become tempted to crank up the thermostat to stay warm. However, choosing the right setting can make a big difference in energy use.

During the Day (When Home) 

Set your thermostat to around 68°F (20°C) when you’re at home and awake. This temperature is typically warm enough to keep you comfortable while helping you avoid excessive energy use. Adding layers of clothing or using blankets can help keep you cozy without needing to raise the temperature further.

At Night (or When Away)

Lowering the thermostat to around 60°F-64°F (15°C-18°C) while you sleep or are away can significantly reduce heating costs. Research shows that people sleep better in cooler environments, so lowering your thermostat at night could improve sleep quality too. Just be sure to grab that extra blanket!

Optimize With a Programmable Thermostat

Set the thermostat to begin warming the house about 30 minutes before you wake up or return home, so it’s comfortable when you need it to be. Smart thermostats can be programmed from your phone, making it easy to adjust settings remotely.

Summer Thermostat Settings

In the summer, cooling costs can soar if the thermostat is set too low. Finding the ideal temperature for your home to keep it cool without using excessive energy is key.

During the Day (When Home)

Set the thermostat to 78°F (25.5°C) when you’re home during the day. This temperature may feel warmer than you’re used to, but fans and keeping curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day can help you feel cooler.

When Sleeping or Away

Set your thermostat to around 85°F (29.5°C) if you’re not at home. When sleeping, you can lower it to 74°F-76°F (23.5°C-24.5°C) for extra comfort. Keep bedroom doors open if possible, as closed rooms can trap warm air, making the cooling system work harder.

Consider a Ceiling Fan

Fans can make you feel cooler without needing to lower the thermostat. Ceiling fans should rotate counterclockwise in the summer, pushing cool air down. Using fans strategically allows you to maintain higher thermostat settings without compromising comfort.

Spring and Fall Thermostat Settings

During spring and fall, temperatures are typically more moderate, which often means you don’t need to use your heating or cooling system as much. However, it’s still important to maintain optimal settings.

• Spring: As temperatures start to rise in spring, aim for a thermostat setting of around 72°F (22°C) during the day when you’re home. At night or when you’re away, you can drop it slightly to around 64°F (18°C).
• Fall: In the fall, as temperatures cool, keeping the thermostat around 70°F (21°C) during the day can maintain comfort. Dropping it down to around 60°F-64°F (15°C-18°C) at night or when you’re away helps conserve energy.

These seasons are a great time to assess how your heating and cooling system is working and prepare your HVAC system for seasonal changes before the temperatures are extreme.

Tips for Efficient Thermostat Use Year-Round

In addition to these seasonal settings, there are several tips you can use to optimize thermostat use, keep energy costs low, and ensure consistent comfort all year long.

• Use Programmable or Smart Thermostats: Programmable thermostats allow you to create a heating and cooling schedule that matches your routine. Smart thermostats go a step further, allowing you to control settings from your phone, receive energy usage reports, and make adjustments based on real-time weather patterns.
• Embrace Zone Heating or Cooling: If your home has multiple zones, set each zone’s thermostat to match its usage. Rooms that are rarely used can have lower or higher settings, reducing strain on the overall system.
• Seal Windows and Doors: Sealing cracks or installing weather stripping can improve overall efficiency.
• Regular HVAC Maintenance: Keep your heating and cooling systems well maintained. Schedule annual maintenance to check for leaks, proper airflow, and efficiency.
• Take Advantage of Natural Light and Ventilation: In cooler months, keep curtains or blinds open on south-facing windows to allow natural warmth from the sun. In summer, close curtains during the hottest part of the day to keep rooms cool.

Potential Energy Savings

The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that homeowners can save up to 10% a year on their energy bills, simply by turning their thermostats back 7-10 degrees (F) for eight hours a day. With steadily increasing energy costs, this number may prove to be fairly significant. 

Having a programmable thermostat can help you to save money while you’re away from home, without sacrificing comfort.

Making Adjustments for Personal Comfort

While these general recommendations work for many households, each person’s comfort level varies. Young children, the elderly, and people with health conditions may need more warmth or cooler settings. Being able to set specific temperatures by zone or room allows everyone to be comfortable.

Instead of adjusting the thermostat every time you feel a slight discomfort, wearing layered clothing in winter or using fans in summer can help regulate personal comfort.

Stay Comfy All Year-Round

Setting the right thermostat temperature can help maintain a comfortable home while lowering energy costs and promoting sustainability. By adjusting your thermostat according to the seasons and following best practices for efficient use, you can enjoy a cozy home without overspending on energy bills. Whether using a programmable thermostat to stick to a schedule or manually adjusting for the seasons, these settings can keep you comfortable year-round.