The quick answer: Set your thermostat to 68°F when you’re home and awake, lower it to around 64 to 65°F while you sleep or when the house is empty for the day, and keep it at 55°F or higher if you’ll be gone for several days. Pets, houseplants, babies, and heat pumps can shift those numbers a bit, so we’ve broken it down by home type below.
Is your family constantly arguing over winter thermostat settings? It’s time to put the family feud over the proper thermostat temperature in winter on ice.
Keep cool, or warm, we should say. In this article, we’ll help answer these questions:
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What is the best temperature to set your thermostat during winter?
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What temperature should you set your thermostat in winter at night?
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What temperature to set your thermostat in winter when you’re away?
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What is the lowest temperature to set your thermostat in winter?
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What temperature works best for your type of home?
Now, let’s start with the most important question anyone responsible for paying the heating bill is asking...
What Heating Temperature Should My Thermostat Be Set to in Winter?
Everyone reacts differently to the weather and changing of seasons. The temperature outside can play havoc on our moods and might urge us to adjust the temperature by cranking up the furnace, getting under a fleece blanket, and binge-watching something on the couch.
But the truth is heating your home throughout the winter takes a lot of energy. The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s latest Winter Fuels Outlook estimates that households heating mainly with natural gas spent an average of $686 during the 2025–2026 winter, up six percent from the winter before. That’s why families across the United States are looking for ways to reduce heating costs while still keeping the family toasty warm.
One of the simplest ways to save energy and help lower your monthly heating bill is to properly set the thermostat to keep your home’s temperature at the right comfort level this winter.
The Ideal Temperature During Winter Is…
The Delaware Public Service Commission recommends setting the thermostat to 68°F while you’re home and awake, which makes 68 degrees Fahrenheit a smart starting point for your thermostat this winter. 68 degrees may seem like a low number to many, but there are benefits to limiting your home to this temperature.
Forcing your furnace or heating system to keep the interior temperature at a high level with freezing conditions outside can add a lot of strain on your HVAC. A furnace that keeps running to try and reach a higher temperature setting can send your heating bills skyward and the added operational stress on your system can run the risk of furnace repair.
Keeping a modest temperature setting this winter can provide adequate warmth for your family while helping keep your heating bill down and the wear on your furnace in check. According to the Delaware Public Service Commission, you may save up to three percent on your heating bill for every degree you lower the thermostat for eight hours a day.
Winter Thermostat Settings by Home Type
Every household is a little different. Use these settings as a starting point, then adjust one degree at a time until everyone’s comfortable.
| Home Type | Recommended Setting | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Typical home, everyone awake | 68°F | A comfortable, efficient daytime starting point. |
| Bedtime | Around 64 to 65°F | A bedroom temperature of about 60 to 67°F is often recommended for sleep. |
| Empty during the workday | Around 64°F | Program a setback for the roughly eight hours you’re away. |
| Pets home alone | 64°F or higher | Every pet handles cold differently, so check with your veterinarian. |
| Houseplants while you travel | 60°F or higher | Many houseplants can be damaged in the mid-to-lower 40s. |
| Away for several days, vacation home, or vacant rental | No lower than 55°F | Helps protect pipes from freezing when no one is home. |
| Baby in the home | Comfortable, not warm | The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that overheating can raise SIDS risk. Dress your baby in one more layer than you’d wear. |
| Older adults or health conditions | Ask your doctor | Skip deep setbacks until you’ve confirmed a safe minimum. |
| Heat pump home | Small setbacks | The U.S. Department of Energy recommends thermostats that ramp up slowly so less efficient backup heat stays off. |
What Should I Set My Thermostat to in Winter at Night?
You would think when winter temperatures drop at night you’d want to turn the furnace up when you go to sleep, right? Not so fast.
Around 64 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit is a good nighttime target for most homes. The Delaware Public Service Commission suggests lowering your thermostat to around 64°F for the eight hours you’re asleep. Setting your thermostat to a lower temperature at night may actually help you sleep better. Cleveland Clinic sleep experts explain that your core body temperature drops to its lowest point during sleep, and a bedroom temperature of about 60 to 67 degrees is often recommended. When it is too cold or hot indoors at night, our internal body temps get out of whack and can lead to more inconsistent sleep.
Best Temperature to Set a Thermostat in Winter While Away
Heading away from home to someplace warm this winter? (Lucky) You may have the energy-saving thought to just shut your furnace off entirely while you’re on vacation. You’ll still want to keep the heat running at some capacity, especially if pets will be left at the house.
If you have houseplants or pets that won’t be making the trip, then you should adjust your thermostat accordingly. Keep the thermostat at 60 degrees Fahrenheit or higher for houseplants. Iowa State University Extension notes that many indoor plants may see damage in the mid-to-lower 40s, so 60 degrees gives them a comfortable cushion. And for your furry friends, keeping the thermostat at 64 degrees Fahrenheit or higher may help keep your pets safe and comfortable while you’re gone. Every pet handles cold differently, so check with your veterinarian if you’re unsure.
What’s the Lowest Temperature I Can Set My Thermostat in Winter?
Do you just love the cold so much you’d rather not run any heat in winter? Keep your winter thermostat setting at 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher to help keep your appliances and pipes from freezing. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) advises a 55°F minimum thermostat setting even when no one is home. If you’ll be away for more than a week during subfreezing weather, IBHS also suggests considering shutting off your water. The worst way to end a vacation or wake up one morning is to a frozen dishwasher or a flooded basement.
The same can be said for any vacation properties that go unoccupied in winter, or a rental property with no winter tenants. You will still want to keep some heat flowing through the home to protect from property damage.
Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat
It doesn’t often make sense to pay to replace something that is working—unless it can save you money. Programmable thermostats or a smart thermostat, like the Nest Thermostat, can save money by helping reduce your heating costs throughout the year. You can program your temperature settings to the ones our Home Comfort Specialists have recommended here, and keep your thermostat on autopilot.
Whether you’re asleep, on the way to work, or playing with the kids out in the snow, upgrading your thermostat can help keep your home’s heating schedule in control. The Delaware Public Service Commission estimates that smart thermostats, such as the Nest, can save you 10 to 12 percent in heating costs.
Additional Cost-Saving Thermostat Tips for Winter
Here are a few other quick tips to help you lower utility bills while maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature that the entire family can enjoy.
Lower Temperature Settings Gradually
Once your family acclimates to the colder winter weather, lower the temperature in the home by one degree each week. Over time, your family may grow more comfortable with a lower thermostat setting, which can help reduce heating costs.
Maintain Your Furnace Annually
It’s important to schedule a heating system tune-up every fall before the temperatures really turn cold outside. Having a properly maintained furnace or heating system can help keep your family comfortable this winter and catch potential issues before the system breaks down.
Invest in a New Energy-Efficient Heating System
If your furnace is eight to 10 years old or older, it may be time to start considering new furnace installation and upgrading to a newer HVAC system. That’s a general guideline, since a furnace’s life span varies with usage, climate, maintenance history, and installation quality. Newer furnaces are often more efficient than older models and may help lower your heating costs.
Consider Multi-Zoned HVAC Options
A multi-zone heating and cooling system allows you to adjust your HVAC system at a different comfortable temperature in different parts of your home. While multi-zone heating systems are more expensive than a typical HVAC unit, they can provide more control over the indoor temperature throughout your entire home.
Winter Thermostat FAQs
Is 72 Degrees Too Warm for Heat in Winter?
It’s on the warm side. 72°F isn’t unsafe, but it’s above the 68°F the Delaware Public Service Commission recommends while you’re home and awake, so it may cost more to run. Try 69°F or 70°F with a sweater first. Settings of 74°F to 75°F can push your heating bill up even further.
How Much Can I Save by Turning My Thermostat Down in Winter?
You may save up to three percent on your heating bill for every degree you lower the thermostat for eight hours a day, according to the Delaware Public Service Commission. Actual savings vary with your home’s insulation, heating system, energy prices, and weather, so your results may differ.
Is 65 Degrees Too Cold for a House in Winter?
For most healthy adults, 65°F isn’t too cold, especially overnight. Cleveland Clinic notes that a bedroom temperature of about 60 to 67°F is often recommended for sleep, and many people feel more comfortable at 68°F during the day. Households with a baby, older adults, or health conditions should ask a doctor about a safe minimum.
What Thermostat Setting Works Best With a Heat Pump in Winter?
Start with the same 68°F target, but keep setbacks small. Recovering from a big temperature drop can call on backup electric resistance heat, which the U.S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program says should be kept to a minimum. A thermostat designed for heat pumps can help by ramping the temperature up slowly.
