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Best Winter Thermostat Settings for Low Energy Bills
What's the best thermostat temperature setting for winter?
7 minute read • Last update July 2025
When temperatures drop during the winter months, using the proper thermostat settings becomes essential. Finding the ideal indoor temperature allows you to stay cozy and control heating costs without breaking the bank with excessive energy bills.
So, what is the best temperature to set a thermostat in winter to save money while also keeping your family warm, happy, and healthy? Let’s find out!
What temperature should I set my thermostat in winter?
According to the Department of Energy, the ideal thermostat setting for winter is around 68°F to 70°F. For most households, this represents a comfortable temperature that balances warmth and energy savings—especially in homes with additional heating system features to help with cost management (more on that a little later!).
While this is a good guideline, there’s not one definitive set-and-forget temperature to set because your needs will vary throughout the day. The World Health Organization recommends keeping indoor temperatures between 64 and 75 degrees for healthy people. But for those who are very young, elderly or who have health problems, the minimum temperature shouldn’t dip below 68.
Alternatively, there’s no point in burning fuel or wasting electricity to maintain a 70°F interior temperature when there’s nobody in the house to feel the benefit. So, when your family is out, the best temperature for a thermostat in winter is lower, typically somewhere between 60°F and 65°F.
Day vs. night thermostat settings
Setting a lower temperature at night helps save energy and reduce your heating bill without compromising warmth. So, what’s the best temperature for a heater in winter at night? Just a few degrees lower than daytime is usually fine—aim for temperature settings similar to what you’d use through the day when there’s nobody home.
Of course, if outside temps drop unexpectedly, you may need to readjust, but you can still optimize your thermostat setting for winter to save money. It’s estimated most households can save 1-3% on energy costs for each degree over every eight hours. So, as long as you’re using a colder setting some of the time, you’ll still make savings in the long term.
Best temperature to sleep in
As a rule of thumb, sleep psychologist Michelle Drerup, PsyD, says to keep your bedroom at 60 to 67° F and to think of your bedroom as your ‘cave.’ “It should be cool, dark and quiet to enhance your sleep.” By reducing the temperature at night, you will not only achieve an ideal sleeping temperature but reduce your energy usage as well.
Factors impacting your home’s winter thermostat setting
The recommended thermostat settings above are a good starting point for finding the best temperature for your heater in winter. However, there are a few additional factors you’ll need to consider to find the ideal temperature for your unique needs. Let’s take a closer look at some of the other elements that impact comfort and energy efficiency.
Regional climate
What to set your thermostat to in winter will largely depend on where you live. If you’re based in a place with harsh Texas winters, like areas around the panhandle, you’ll likely need a warmer internal temperature to stay comfortable. On the other hand, Texans who enjoy milder winters, like those in central and southern regions, can often set their thermostats to lower temperatures.
House insulation
Houses with poor insulation lose warmth quickly, forcing heating systems to work harder. If you’re noticing drafts around windows, door jambs, air vents, or walls, this could be a sign that your home insulation needs improvement. So, until you’ve planned your upgrades, you’ll need to set a higher heater temperature in winter to account for heat loss due to inefficiency.
Home size
Larger homes require more energy to heat effectively, making it even more essential to find the ideal thermostat setting for winter. One of the best ways to stay warm while still saving energy is to use zoning systems to sustain different temperatures in various rooms. Conversely, smaller homes heat up quicker, meaning it’s usually feasible to set your home’s temperature a few degrees lower than average.
Humidity levels
Even when thermostat temperatures remain unchanged, high humidity can make rooms feel warmer, while low humidity can make it feel cooler. Dry air can make your skin feel cold, prompting you to increase your thermostat setting unnecessarily. A humidifier can help improve comfort without adjusting your thermostat above its normal temperature.
Heating system age
Older systems may struggle to keep up with the demands of colder weather, especially if you’ve skipped some routine maintenance checks on your HVAC system. This makes it harder to find the best thermostat setting for winter that balances comfort without increasing your energy bill. We recommend regular inspections of your entire heating and cooling system to ensure optimum efficiency when it gets cold outside.
Common heating mistakes to avoid in winter
While understanding what temperature to set a thermostat in winter is essential in avoiding unnecessary expenses, it’s not the only way to save money. Here’s a rundown of the most common errors to avoid.
Not easing into winter thermostat settings
Jumping the gun and setting your desired temperature without gradually acclimatizing to the changing season is a common mistake. After all, the best setting for a thermostat in winter is unlikely to be your very first adjustment. The solution? Try lowering it by one degree weekly to avoid sudden spikes in energy consumption.
Adding warmer layers before turning the heat higher
Before turning up your heater, consider a more pragmatic approach. Can you put on a thicker sweater, heavier socks, or thermal leggings? If you can maintain comfortability with a simple wardrobe change it will go a long way in reducing your energy usage / costs.
Setting the temperature too high or too low
It’s all too tempting to crank up your heater temperature in winter—just as powering down your air conditioner to its lowest temperature can be appealing during the sweltering Texas summer. However, both strategies will waste energy. That said, there’s also little point in making the entire family uncomfortable by trying to battle through winter on a setting that’s too cold. So, finding a balance is essential.
Not considering winter humidity
Humidity is an often-overlooked factor when deciding what thermostat setting for winter is best for your home. The ideal humidity level depends on the season. However, it’s generally agreed that keeping humidity between 30-60% is the best way to enhance comfort while also ensuring energy efficiency in heating and cooling costs throughout the seasons.
Not adjusting the thermostat when leaving the house
Many homeowners forget to adjust thermostat settings when they leave the house, leading to unnecessary energy use. A programmable thermostat allows you to set specific adjustments for when you’re out to ensure your system isn’t working overtime for no reason. If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, you’ll need to manually adjust the temperature before leaving the house.
Overusing space heaters
Space heaters are a quick fix for providing immediate warmth in cold rooms. However, overuse can significantly increase heating costs because they use a lot of electricity and are typically less efficient than a correctly set central heating system. So, they’re best used as a supplementary heat source rather than a substitute for your primary HVAC system.
Programmable thermostats and smart thermostats
Modern technology takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect thermostat setting for winter. Whether you choose a programmable or a more advanced smart thermostat, you’ll be assured of automated temperature control, leading to enhanced comfort and improved energy savings. Here’s an overview of both types.
Programmable thermostats allow you to set a schedule based on when you’re home, out, and sleeping. For example, you could set it to 62°F during the day while you’re at work, raise it to 70°F right before you come home, and back down to 65°F when you go to bed. It’s estimated that installing a programmable thermostat could save up to 10% annually on your energy bill.
Smart thermostats take the concept of a programmable thermostat even further by learning your schedule and preferences and adjusting your home’s temperature without you needing to set anything manually. Most models even allow remote access via a smartphone app, making it easy to adjust indoor temperature from anywhere. Estimated savings are around 8% annually.
Best location for thermostat
To get your home in the ideal temperature range during winter, it’s crucial to choose the right spot for your thermostat. Steer clear of the following areas to get the most accurate temperature readings:
- Direct sunlight spots
- Locations near air vents
- Kitchens, where cooking heat can alter temperature readings
- Hallways or smaller rooms as they don’t represent the true temperature of a home
- Close to doors or windows, which can be drafty and misleading
FAQ for winter thermostat settings
Q: What is the best temperature for my heater in winter?
A: According to the Department of Energy, the ideal thermostat setting for winter is around 68°F.
Q: What temperature is best to sleep in?
A: Michelle Drerup, PsyD, says to keep your bedroom at 60 to 67° F.
Q: What temperature is too cold for a house?
A: According to the World Health Organization a house temperature below 64 degrees can be harmful to health with prolonged exposure.
Q: Is it more efficient to maintain temperature?
A: It’s better to adjust your thermostat based on time of day such as lowering it to 68 degrees when you go to sleep or down to 65 degrees when you leave your home for work.
Cost-saving tips for winter months
With the colder weather comes higher heating costs. That’s mostly unavoidable. However, there are plenty of simple adjustments you can make to keep energy use under control without sacrificing comfort. We’ve already covered the basics, but here are some additional tips to help you save money on your electricity bill this winter:
- Getting a home energy audit: This will help evaluate your home’s energy consumption to identify areas of energy waste and recommend efficiency improvements.
- Seal windows and doors: Check for drafts and seal leaks with weatherstripping or caulking to prevent warm air from escaping, reducing the workload on your heating system.
- Covering drafty windows: Using plastic film, insulating shades, drapes, or other energy efficient window coverings help keep the warm air in your home.
- Use ceiling fans: Running a ceiling fan clockwise on a low setting helps push warm air down, making your home feel warmer without putting extra strain on your heat pump or furnace.
- Keep curtains and blinds open: The more direct sunlight you let into your home, the warmer your indoor environment will be without having to up your thermostat setting.
- Buy ENERGY STAR: Invest in ENERGY STAR-rated systems and appliances to maximize energy savings.
- Maintain your HVAC system: Schedule regular maintenance for filter changes, duct cleaning, and inspection of your water pipes.
- Choose a convenient thermostat location: If you don’t have a smart thermostat, easy access to an interior wall is key to making manual adjustments on the fly.
By making these small, strategic adjustments, you can more easily keep your family warm and your energy costs manageable this winter.
Save on electricity plans with BKVE
Even with the right thermostat setting for winter, choosing an affordable electricity plan is essential.
At BKVE, we’re committed to offering tailored solutions to meet the needs and budgets of all Texans so households across the state can enjoy year-round comfort without breaking the bank. For example, our gimmick-free Bluebonnet plan could save you $800 or more per year!
Explore our plans today and take control of your energy usage while staying warm and cozy this winter!
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