Determining the ideal temperature to keep your house during winter months is an important consideration for comfort, health, and managing energy costs. The optimal temperature setting depends on several factors like your climate, insulation, and personal comfort. Setting your thermostat properly for winter can help you stay cozy without overspending on heating bills.
What is the Recommended Winter House Temperature?
Most experts recommend keeping your thermostat set between 68-72°F (20-22°C) in the winter. This temperature range provides a comfortable ambient temperature for most people without being excessively warm. Going below or above this range by more than a few degrees can lead to discomfort, higher energy bills, and potential health risks.
Here are some general indoor temperature guidelines for winter:
| 68°F (20°C) | Recommended minimum temperature for most people |
| 70°F (21°C) | Ideal comfort temperature for most people |
| 72°F (22°C) | Recommended maximum temperature before overheating |
These temperatures assume normal indoor clothing during winter of long sleeves and pants. If you tend to wear fewer layers, you may prefer slightly warmer settings in the 70-72°F (21-22°C) range. Elderly people and infants may need a warmer setting around 70°F (21°C).
Factors That Affect Ideal Winter Thermostat Settings
While the 68-72°F (20-22°C) range serves as a good guide, several factors can alter your optimal thermostat setting for winter:
Outdoor Temperature and Climate
If you live in a more extreme northern climate that plunges below freezing for months, you’ll likely need a higher thermostat setting to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature. Colder regions like the northern U.S., Canada, and Scandinavia may need indoor temperatures of 70-75°F (21-24°C). In more temperate southern climates without heavy winter cold, an indoor temperature closer to 65-68°F (18-20°C) may suffice.
Insulation and Air Sealing
Homes with poor insulation lose heat more rapidly in winter. Older homes with thin insulation and leaky windows may struggle to maintain 68°F (20°C) without very high heating bills. Improving insulation levels allows you to keep the thermostat lower without sacrificing comfort. Air sealing gaps and adding insulation provides better heat retention.
House Layout and Size
Larger homes require more heating in winter to maintain comfortable temperatures. The same goes for open floor plans – more exterior wall surface area loses heat faster. Smaller, contained spaces retain heat more easily. You may be able to keep a cozy one-bedroom apartment comfortably at 65°F (18°C) whereas a drafty six-bedroom house may need to be 72°F (22°C) or higher.
Number of Occupants
More people in your home leads to more body heat, increasing the ambient temperature. A large family can warm up a home more easily than a single occupant. Consider keeping the temperature a bit lower if you live alone based on actual comfort needs rather than a fixed number.
Health and Age
Infants, young children, and elderly people may require warmer indoor heating for winter health and safety. A setting around 70°F (21°C) is ideal if you have vulnerable people in your home. Colder temperatures can increase risk of hypothermia and exacerbate some medical conditions. Healthy adults can comfortably handle lower thermostat settings.
Window Efficiency
Poorly insulated and sealed windows cause major heat loss and drafts. If your windows lack double/triple glazing or low-emissivity coatings, the house will lose heat faster. You may need to keep the indoor temperature higher to compensate for weak windows. Upgrading to modern energy efficient windows allows lowering the thermostat setting.
Personal Comfort Needs
Ideal thermostat settings ultimately depend on your comfort preferences. If you prefer cooler conditions, you may be satisfied keeping the house at 65°F (18°C). If you like extra coziness and can afford the heating bill, 72°F (22°C) may be your perfect thermostat setting. Balance energy costs with the temperature that makes you personally feel most comfortable.
Pros and Cons of Lower Winter Thermostat Settings
Setting your thermostat lower than the 68-72°F (20-22°C) winter guideline can save energy but also has drawbacks:
Pros
- Lower energy bills. Every degree lower can reduce heating costs by up to 3%.
- Greater environmental sustainability. Using less energy for heating minimizes your carbon footprint.
- Potentially better health. Cooler temperatures may promote better sleep and higher metabolism.
Cons
- Greater risk of pipes freezing. Setting the thermostat below 55°F (13°C) can lead to burst pipes.
- Reduced comfort. Lower temperatures may feel uncomfortably chilly.
- Potential health risks. Sustained cold can weaken immune system and worsen some medical conditions.
Aim to find a energy efficient balance between cost savings and keeping your home livable. Placing the thermostat at 65°F (18°C) when occupants are living there may be uncomfortably cold for many.
Pros and Cons of Higher Winter Thermostat Settings
Conversely, keeping your thermostat significantly above the recommended 68-72°F (20-22°C) range offers benefits but has downsides:
Pros
- Increased comfort. Most people feel cozy and relaxed at warmer indoor temperatures.
- Health benefits. Warmer air can alleviate cold symptoms and joint pain.
- Protects pets and plants. Heat-loving animals and plants thrive at higher temps.
Cons
- Higher energy bills. Heating costs increase rapidly above 72°F (22°C).
- Greater environmental impact. Excessive heating fuels global warming.
- Potential overheating. Prolonged exposure to overly warm air causes lethargy.
Try not to keep your thermostat much higher than 72°F (22°C) to avoid wasted energy and becoming uncomfortably overheated.
Ways to Supplement House Heating
If you want to save energy by keeping the thermostat lower, supplement the indoor heating using these tips:
- Use area rugs over tile or wood floors to add warmth.
- Keep doors open between heated rooms to circulate warmth.
- Let sunlight in through south-facing windows to harness solar heat.
- Wear layers like sweaters and slippers to feel warmer.
- Run ceiling fans on low to push down warm air.
- Use portable space heaters to add focused heat.
With some creative solutions, you can comfortably lower your main thermostat setting and still feel cozy.
Programmable and Smart Thermostats
Programmable thermostats allow you to customize temperature schedules throughout the day. Smart thermostats take it a step further by intelligently adjusting themselves and learning your preferences over time.
Benefits of programmable and smart thermostats include:
- Set a lower temperature when away from home to save energy.
- Create weekend and weekday settings that match your routine.
- Gradually warm house before waking up or returning home.
- No need to constantly adjust temperature manually.
Using an advanced thermostat maximizes both comfort and energy savings. They help maintain optimal temperatures without wasting heat when not needed.
Should I Lower My Thermostat at Night?
It can be wise to lower your thermostat by 5-10°F (3-6°C) at night when everyone is in bed. Pre-heating is unnecessary when asleep under blankets. Programmable thermostats make this temperature reduction easy to schedule automatically.
Benefits include:
- Save up to 10% on heating costs by reducing overnight energy use.
- Avoid wasting heat when less essential for comfort.
- Better sleep without a hot room or running furnace.
Use enough bedding to stay warm rather than heating the entire house. Turn down the thermostat and let the blankets do their job.
What About Vacation or Away Time?
When traveling or leaving your home for multiple days, consider the following thermostat options:
- Turn down to 55-60°F (13-16°C) – Prevents freezing and saves energy but takes time to reheat upon return.
- Leave at normal temperature – Maintains comfort but uses more energy for empty house.
- Schedule periodic temperature increases – Compromise between the two above options to maintain some heat while saving energy.
The best option depends on how long you’ll be away, outdoor temperatures, and your heating system type. Adjust accordingly to balance cost savings and avoiding damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it bad to turn down the heat at night?
Turning down the heat moderately at night, around 5-10°F (3-6°C), is generally not a problem, especially if using enough blankets. Allowing indoor temperatures to dip below freezing is risky and excessive.
What temperature should I set for vacation?
For vacations under a week, you can lower the temperature to around 55-60°F (13-16°C). For extended vacations, it may be better to leave the thermostat at your normal setting or schedule periodic increases. Have someone check periodically if concerned about freezing.
Does lowering heat increase heating bill?
Lowering your thermostat temperature will actually decrease your heating bill, as less energy is required to maintain a cooler indoor temperature. Just don’t turn it down so much that your pipes freeze or the furnace has to work extra hard when warming the home again.
Is it cheaper to leave the heat on low all day?
Leaving your heat on a low constant temperature usually costs less than allowing your home to cool down completely then reheating. However, lowering the temperature while away or overnight can optimize savings on heating bills. Programmable thermostats make it easy to customize schedules.
The Bottom Line
Finding your ideal winter thermostat setting involves balancing comfort, health, and energy efficiency. While most people feel comfortable between 68-72°F (20-22°C), regional climate differences and personal tolerances allow some flexibility. Take advantage of programmable schedules, smart features, and supplemental heating solutions to optimize temperature control and cost savings. With some trial and error, you can stay cozy without overspending on your energy bills.