US Trends

what should you set your thermostat at in the winter

The most commonly recommended winter thermostat setting is around 68°F (about 20°C) when you’re at home and awake, then a bit lower at night or when you’re away for energy savings.

What Should You Set Your Thermostat At In The Winter?

Quick Scoop

If you just want the fast answer for a typical, reasonably insulated home:

  • Daytime, at home: about 68°F (20°C) is the “sweet spot” that balances comfort and energy efficiency.
  • Nighttime, sleeping: 60–65°F (15–18°C) often works well, especially with warm bedding.
  • Away from home (8+ hours): around 60–65°F to cut heating costs while still protecting pipes and the home.

Many energy and HVAC sources point to 68°F as the “magic number” for winter when you’re home, awake, and want a good balance between comfort and your bill.

Why 68°F Keeps Popping Up

Energy and HVAC experts repeatedly land on roughly 68°F as a sensible winter setting:

  • It’s warm enough for most people to feel comfortable in normal indoor clothing.
  • It keeps your heating system from running constantly, which helps lower bills.
  • Government and energy-efficiency programs (like Energy.gov and Energy Star, as quoted by various energy companies) commonly highlight 68°F as the default “comfort + savings” setting.

Think of 68°F as your baseline : you can adjust up or down a couple of degrees depending on your comfort and your home’s insulation.

Day vs. Night vs. Away

You don’t need one fixed setting all winter. A simple schedule usually works best:

  1. When you’re home and awake
    • Aim for about 68°F (20°C).
 * If you run hot, you might be fine at 66–67°F with a sweater and socks.
  1. When you’re sleeping
    • Many guides recommend 60–65°F (15–18°C).
 * Cooler air plus heavier blankets is often more comfortable for sleep and cuts costs.
  1. When you’re away for work or errands
    • Dropping the thermostat by 7–10°F for about 8 hours can save up to roughly 10% a year on heating, according to efficiency guidance quoted by HVAC experts.
 * For many households this looks like 60–62°F while you’re gone, then back to 68°F before you return.

A programmable or smart thermostat can automate these changes so you don’t have to keep fiddling with it.

Factors That Change The “Right” Temperature

Everyone online seems to have an opinion—forum threads on thermostat settings are full of people insisting that anything above 65°F is “tropical” while others swear they’d freeze below 72°F. A few key things shape what works for you:

  • Your insulation and windows: Drafty homes often need a slightly higher setting to feel the same as a tight, well-insulated house.
  • Climate: In very cold areas, you might run closer to 68–70°F just to feel normal; in milder climates, people often tolerate cooler interiors.
  • Who lives there: Young kids, elderly people, or folks with certain health conditions may need warmer indoor temps for comfort and safety.
  • Personal comfort: Some people truly prefer 65°F and sweaters; others feel chilled below 70°F—this shows up clearly in comment sections and forum debates.

So, use 68°F as a starting point, then adjust 1–2 degrees at a time and give your body a couple of days to adapt.

Simple Strategy You Can Try This Week

Here’s a straightforward plan many experts and energy companies would consider reasonable in winter:

  1. Pick a baseline
    • Set your thermostat to 68°F during the day when you’re at home.
  2. Lower at night
    • Drop it to about 62–64°F an hour before bed.
    • Add a heavier comforter or extra blanket if needed.
  3. Lower when you’re away
    • If you’re out for work or several hours, set it around 60–62°F.
  4. Fine-tune over a week
    • If you’re too cold, move up 1–2°F.
    • If you’re comfortable, try lowering 1°F to save a bit more.
  5. Use clothing and small tweaks
    • Keep warm socks, a light sweater, and maybe a throw blanket handy so you can keep the thermostat slightly lower without feeling miserable.

SEO Meta Description

Wondering what should you set your thermostat at in the winter? Learn why 68°F is the go‑to setting, how to adjust for night and away times, and what real people say in forum discussions.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.