You’ll usually be most comfortable and efficient with your thermostat set around the high 60s during fall days, and a bit cooler at night or when you’re away.

Quick Scoop

Best thermostat settings in fall

  • Daytime, when you’re home and awake :
    Aim for about 68°F, with a common comfort range of 68–70°F.

Many HVAC pros and even big brands point to 68°F as the “sweet spot” between comfort and energy savings in mild fall weather.

  • Nighttime, when you’re sleeping :
    Drop it a few degrees, typically into the 60–65°F range.

Cooler air can help you sleep better and cuts heating use while you’re under blankets.

  • When you’re away for several hours :
    Lower the thermostat roughly 5–10°F below your normal at‑home setting, often landing in the low‑60s (around 62–65°F).

This reduction can save noticeable energy over a typical fall week without making the house painfully cold to reheat.

  • If you’re gone for a couple of days or more :
    In cooler regions, people often set heat to about 55–60°F to avoid pipe issues while still avoiding wasted energy.

Why these numbers work (and how to tweak them)

Fall is full of big temperature swings, so the goal is a steady, moderate indoor temperature that doesn’t make your system constantly cycle. Around 68°F indoors keeps most people comfortable with light layers and reduces the load on your HVAC compared with cranking the heat. Many experts note that for roughly every degree you turn the heat down, you can shave a bit off your bill over the season.

Still, there’s no one magic number for everyone. Use the 68–70°F daytime and 60–65°F nighttime ranges as a starting point, then nudge up or down by a degree or two based on your insulation, local climate, and how warm or cold‑natured you are. The key is picking a range and keeping it fairly consistent, instead of constantly jumping between extreme temperatures.

Quick example “fall day” schedule

  • 6–8 a.m. (wake‑up): 68–69°F.
  • Daytime while home: hold 68°F.
  • Daytime while away (work, errands): 62–64°F.
  • Evening: back to 68–70°F if you tend to feel chilly when relaxing.
  • Overnight: 60–64°F, depending on how cool you like it for sleep.

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