Best thermostat settings for winter savings (and the heat pump exception)

By Jason Dearmin · Last reviewed November 14, 2026 · How we check facts

Short answerThe U.S. Department of Energy says you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting. It suggests about 68 to 70 degrees F when you are awake. Heat pumps are an exception.

What the DOE recommends

Set the thermostat to around 68 to 70 degrees F while you are awake and lower while asleep or away.
Turning back 7 to 10 degrees F for 8 hours a day can save as much as 10% a year. The DOE says the percentage saved is greater in milder climates than in severe ones.
If a house is unoccupied for four hours or more, it makes sense to adjust the temperature during that time.

Does the furnace work harder to catch up?

The DOE addresses this directly: a common misconception is that the furnace works harder than normal to warm the space after a setback, resulting in little or no savings. As soon as the house drops below its normal temperature, it loses energy to the surroundings more slowly. During winter, the lower the interior temperature, the slower the heat loss, so the longer the house stays at the lower temperature the more energy you save.

Heat pumps and other exceptions

The DOE says programmable thermostats are generally not recommended for heat pumps. In heating mode, setting back the thermostat can cause the unit to operate inefficiently and cancel out the savings, and maintaining a moderate setting is the most cost-effective approach. It notes that some companies sell specially designed thermostats for heat pumps that use algorithms to minimize backup electric resistance heat. Electric baseboard heat needs a line-voltage thermostat. Steam and radiant floor systems respond slowly, so DOE suggests starting the setback well before bedtime or departure and recovering two to three hours before you wake up or return.

Where the thermostat is installed matters

DOE says a thermostat should be on an interior wall away from direct sunlight, drafts, doorways, skylights and windows, and furniture should not block it. A poor location can cause ghost readings and unnecessary cycling.

To estimate what a setback might be worth for your home, use the heating cost calculator and compare annual costs by fuel.

Frequently asked questions

Should I leave the heat on low when I am away?

For furnaces and boilers, the DOE says setting back for several hours saves energy because heat loss is slower at lower indoor temperatures. For heat pumps, DOE recommends a moderate setting unless you have a heat pump-specific thermostat.

What is a good winter thermostat setting?

The DOE suggests around 68 to 70 degrees F while awake and lower when asleep or away.

Sources

Programmable Thermostats (U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Saver (archived copy, June 2026))

Safety note: this page is general information drawn from the sources above. Gas, combustion and line-voltage repairs belong to a licensed professional. Your own equipment's label and manual take priority over anything here. Read the full disclaimer.