You want to lower energy bills without living in a refrigerator or sauna. Good. That’s exactly the kind of practical thinking that speeds up your path to FIRE. In this guide I explain what temperature you should keep your house to save money, why those numbers matter, and how to get the same comfort for less cash—step by step and with real examples.
Why temperature matters more than you think
Heating and cooling typically account for the biggest share of a home’s energy use. Even a small change of a few degrees can move the needle on your monthly bill. The trick is to balance comfort and efficiency: keep the thermostat sensible when you’re home, and let it relax when you’re not.
Recommended temperatures for saving money
Short answer: set different targets for winter and summer, and use lower (or higher) setpoints when you’re asleep or away. Here are simple, evidence-based targets you can start with.
| Season | Comfort target (occupied) | Energy-saving target (unoccupied / night) |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | 20°C / 68°F | 16–17°C / 60–63°F |
| Summer | 24–25°C / 75–77°F | 26–28°C / 79–82°F |
Those numbers are practical. They keep most people comfortable while saving energy. If you like a cooler bedroom, drop another degree at night. If someone in your household needs warmer temp for health reasons, prioritize comfort—money saved isn’t worth health loss.
How much can you actually save?
Every degree you lower a winter heating setpoint (or raise a summer cooling setpoint) typically saves a few percent on your heating or cooling bill. That depends on your house, your system, and the local climate, but the principle is clear: small changes add up. Combine temperature changes with low-cost fixes and you’ll see a real drop in spending.
Quick wins that cost almost nothing
- Use a programmable or smart thermostat to automate setbacks when you’re asleep or away.
- Lower your thermostat by 1–2°C in winter and raise it by 1–2°C in summer—test one degree at a time.
- Seal obvious drafts around windows and doors with weatherstripping or a door sweep.
Thermostat strategies that actually work
Setback is the idea of letting the temperature drift when you don’t need full heating or cooling. Don’t worry about the system “using more energy to recover.” For modern systems, it’s almost always cheaper to maintain a lower setpoint when you’re out than to heat continuously.
Example schedules you can copy
Here are two simple schedules—one for a typical working household and one for someone working from home.
Working household: 6:30–8:30 occupied (comfort), 8:30–17:30 away (energy-saving), 17:30–22:30 occupied (comfort), 22:30–6:30 sleep (lower setpoint).
Work-from-home household: Keep comfort during work hours but use local heating or cooling (zone or space heater) if possible. Use setbacks during calls that don’t require comfort and at night.
Low-cost upgrades that increase comfort and savings
- Improve insulation in attic and key walls where heat escapes.
- Install a smart thermostat and learn its energy reports.
- Service your heating/cooling system annually—clean filters, check ducts.
When NOT to chase the lowest number
If lowering the temperature makes life miserable, you’ll likely compensate with extra blankets, electric heaters, or closed-off rooms that create cold/hot imbalances. That can cost more. Also, for certain health conditions—arthritis, elderly household members, infants—keep a higher minimum temperature.
Heating systems behave differently
Gas furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, and electric resistance heaters all respond differently to setpoint changes. Heat pumps are most efficient near their designed operating range. If you have a heat pump, small setpoint shifts can be especially effective when paired with good insulation.
Practical tips for both winter and summer
In winter: close curtains at night, open south-facing curtains on sunny days, bleed radiators where applicable, and avoid blocking vents.
In summer: use blinds or reflective curtains during the hottest parts of the day, run ceiling fans to improve comfort at higher thermostat setpoints, and use exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms to remove heat and humidity.
A short checklist before you change the thermostat
Do these first and your setpoint changes will go further: add weatherstripping, replace dirty filters, check for uninsulated crawlspaces, and program a simple schedule in your thermostat.
Real case: small temp change, meaningful savings
I once coached an anonymous household that cut their winter heating by 2°C and added basic draft-proofing. Their bill dropped noticeably within the first season. The discomfort was minimal because they layered clothing and used timed heating for mornings and evenings. The result? Less money to invest each month and faster progress toward financial goals.
Tools to measure what works
Smart thermostats give energy reports. A simple energy monitor or reviewing your utility bills season-to-season will show the impact. Start small. Change one thing at a time so you can see the real effect.
Summary: the simplest rule to follow
While you’re home and awake: aim for about 20°C / 68°F in winter and 24–25°C / 75–77°F in summer. When you’re asleep or away: drop to 16–17°C / 60–63°F in winter and raise to 26–28°C / 79–82°F in summer. Combine those setpoints with draft-proofing, a smart thermostat, and small insulation upgrades and you’ll save money without sacrificing life quality.
FAQ
What temperature should I keep my house to save money
Start with 20°C / 68°F when you’re at home in winter and 24–25°C / 75–77°F in summer. Use lower or higher setpoints when you’re asleep or away. Small changes add up.
How many degrees lower should I set my thermostat at night to save money
Reduce by 3–4°C (5–7°F) at night for big savings without significant discomfort. Experiment and add blankets rather than cranking the heat back up.
Will lowering the thermostat damage my heating system
No. Modern systems are designed for setpoint changes. Regular maintenance matters more than small temperature adjustments.
Is it cheaper to leave the heat on low all day or turn it down when I leave
Turn it down when you leave. Letting the temperature drift back to a lower level uses less energy than maintaining a constant, higher temperature.
How much can I save by lowering the thermostat one degree
Savings vary, but a single degree can save a few percent on heating or cooling costs. Combine multiple strategies for larger impact.
What is the best temperature for sleeping to save money
Cooler is better for sleep. Aim for about 16–18°C / 60–64°F if that’s comfortable for you; this also saves energy.
Should I change thermostat settings when nobody is home
Yes. Use a setback or schedule to let the house drift while you’re gone. Programmable or smart thermostats make this easy.
Do smart thermostats save money
They often do. They automate efficient schedules, learn your patterns, and provide reports. Savings depend on how you use them and the building’s efficiency.
What about humidity—does it affect comfort and bills
Yes. High humidity feels warmer in summer and lower humidity feels cooler in winter. Managing humidity with ventilation or a dehumidifier can let you set a more efficient thermostat.
Can I use fans instead of air conditioning to save money
Yes. Fans use much less energy than AC and increase comfort by creating a wind-chill effect, allowing higher thermostat setpoints.
Does insulation matter more than thermostat settings
Both matter. Insulation reduces heat loss, so your heating system runs less. First fix the big leaks, then optimize setpoints for best results.
Should I program different temperatures for weekdays and weekends
Yes. Match your schedule. If you’re home on weekends, use a warmer or cooler occupied setpoint then, and save when you’re away on weekdays.
How quickly will I notice savings after changing the thermostat
You may see lower bills within a month, but compare season-to-season or check energy reports for clearer evidence.
Is it worth sealing drafty windows to lower my thermostat
Absolutely. Reducing drafts lets you keep a lower setpoint with less discomfort, so the combination is powerful.
What temperature should I set if someone in the home is elderly
Prioritize comfort. Many elderly people need warmer environments; set a higher minimum and save in other ways such as insulation and efficient scheduling.
Will turning my thermostat up higher heat the home faster
No. The system will run until the setpoint is reached. Setting a higher temperature only wastes energy.
Can zone heating help me save money
Yes. Heating only the rooms you use reduces waste. Zone systems or portable heaters used smartly can be efficient for some households.
How do I pick a thermostat schedule that won’t be annoying
Start with small changes: one-degree shifts and a simple away schedule. Measure comfort for a week, then adjust. Automation reduces daily friction.
Are electric space heaters ever a good idea to save money
Usually no for whole-house heating, because they’re expensive to run. They can make sense for short-term zoning if used carefully and in a well-insulated space.
Does the type of windows affect ideal thermostat settings
Yes. Poor windows increase heat loss and solar gain. Invest in curtains, blinds, or window upgrades to make setpoint changes more effective.
Should I set different temperatures per room
If you can, yes. Bedrooms can be cooler. Living spaces can be slightly warmer. Zoned heating or smart radiator valves are great for this.
How should I use curtains and blinds with thermostat settings
Open curtains on sunny winter days to capture heat and close them at night. In summer, close blinds during peak sun to reduce cooling needs.
What’s the impact of heat pumps on temperature strategy
Heat pumps are efficient but lose efficiency at very low outdoor temperatures. Combine modest setpoint changes with insulation and you’ll see good savings.
How do I know if my thermostat schedule is working
Compare utility bills, check your thermostat’s energy reports, or use an energy monitor. Small, consistent reductions show the approach is working.
Should I worry about mold if I lower temperatures in winter
Mold risk is more about humidity than temperature. Ensure adequate ventilation and control moisture sources when lowering temps.
Can small steps toward thermostat efficiency speed up my FIRE plan
Yes. Energy savings free up money to invest. Over months and years, small changes compound—one reason I care about practical, low-friction wins.
Final thoughts
Temperature is one of the easiest levers to pull on your energy bill. You don’t need to be extreme. Be strategic: set comfortable occupied temperatures, use setbacks when you’re asleep or away, and combine changes with simple home improvements. Do that, and you’ll save money, reduce waste, and shave time off your journey to financial independence. Small, consistent wins beat dramatic one-offs every time. Let’s make comfort cheaper—and progress faster. 🔧💸