That's how neighbors should treat neighbors!™

330-262-4100 Open 24 hours, 7 days a week
Let us take the guesswork out of your winter thermostat settings. Your houseplants will thank you!

Optimal Winter Thermostat Settings

Posted: November 29, 2021 by Andy

Winter is coming - is your family constantly arguing over the thermostat settings already? It's time to put the family feud about the proper temperature in winter on ice. Let's start by asking the question anyone responsible for paying the heating bill wants answered.

What temperature should my thermostat be set to in the winter?

We all react differently to the change of season. The temperature outside can wreak havoc on our mood and prompt us to adjust the temperature by cranking up the furnace, wrapping up in a fleece blanket, and binge-watching a TV show on the couch.

The truth, though, is that heating your home in the winter uses a lot of energy. And with natural gas prices expected to rise by 30% compared to last winter, families all over Northeast Ohio will need to find a way to reduce their heating costs while still keeping everyone toasty warm.

The most effective - and easiest - way to save energy and cut your monthly heating bill is to set the thermostat properly to keep your home's temperature at the perfect comfort level this winter.

The ideal thermostat setting during winter is... 68° F.

We're not making this number up. This recommendation is according to Energy.gov, and while it may seem low to many people, there are benefits to keeping your home at this temperature.

Working your heating system hard to keep the interior temperature high with freezing conditions outside can strain your HVAC. A furnace that constantly runs in vain to reach a higher temperature setting will launch your heating bills skyward, and the added stress on your system will significantly increase the risk of a breakdown.

Setting a modest temperature for your home heating this winter not only provides adequate warmth for your family indoors but also provides energy savings and increases the longevity of your furnace.

What should I set my thermostat to at night?

You might think it's best to turn the furnace way up on those frigid winter nights when it's bedtime, right? Snug as a bug in a rug, and all that? Not so fast.

The best thermostat temperature setting at night is... 65° F.

The U.S. Department of Energy asserts this indoor temperature at night is ideal. Reducing your thermostat setting to a lower temperature at night will help you sleep more soundly. Medical experts know that our body temperature naturally drops at night. When it's too cold or hot indoors at night, our internal body temperature is altered, and this can lead to inconsistent sleep.

What's the best temperature setting while away in the winter?

Leaving home to head somewhere warm this winter? Lucky you! The energy-saving thought may occur to you to just shut your furnace off entirely while you're on vacation. This is a terrible idea, though. You'll still want to keep the heat on at some level, especially if your pets will be left at home.

The minimum temperature setting when away is... 60° F.

If you have pets or house plants that won't be making the trip with you, it's essential to adjust your thermostat to safeguard them. Houseplants need an indoor environment of at least 60° F to stay alive. For your furry friends, set the thermostat no lower than 64° F to keep your pets comfortable and safe while you're gone.

What's the very lowest temperature I should set in the winter?

Do you love the cold so much you'd rather not run any heat in winter? Even if you don't have pets or plants, that's not a good idea. The winter thermostat setting still should be at least between 50° F and 55° F to keep your pipes and appliances from freezing. A terrible way to end a vacation is to come home to a flooded basement or a frozen dishwasher.

The same holds true for any vacation properties that are unoccupied in the winter or a rental property that has no winter tenants. But, empty or not, you'll still want to keep some heat turned on in the place to protect it from property damage.

Consider upgrading to a smart thermostat

It usually doesn't make sense to pay to replace something that is working - unless it'll save you money. Smart thermostats, like those from Nest or Ecobee, will save money by efficiently and automatically adjusting your home's temperature throughout the year. You can set your thermostat to our expert team's recommendations here and let your fancy new smart device happily hum along on autopilot while your family and budget stay happy.

Whether you're asleep, on your way to work, or out enjoying the winter wonderland, upgrading your thermostat can help keep your home comfortable while saving you up to 15% on your annual heating and cooling bills.

Keep your family cozy this winter with Hey Neighbor Heating & Cooling

Are you looking for other ways to reduce your energy costs this winter? We're here to help with expert heating and cooling service and installation, recommendations on home insulation, and many other neighborly services. Call us to schedule a home evaluation with one of our friendly Comfort Consultants today!

 


more great articles...

Preventative Maintenance Is A Savvy Move   |   Is A Whole-House Humidifier Right For Me?

The Best New Year's Resolution   |   A Neighborly Guide to Furnaces

Maximize Your HVAC Tax Credits   |   Why Natural Gas Furnaces Trump Electric Ones

Why Background Checks And Drug Testing Matter   |   Why Is My Filter Wet?

Smoke and CO Detector Best Practices   |   Banishing Humidity Woes

Beware the Dog Days of Summer!   |   The R22 Phase-Out And The Importance Of AC Maintenance

Smart Thermostat Best Practices   |   Severe Weather Can Harm Your AC

Dirty Ductwork Dilemmas   |   Handling Household Emergencies

Why Isn't My AC Working?   |   SEER2 101

Better HVAC = Higher Home Value   |   My AC Sounds Like Running Water

Beware Animal Hair!   |   Air Purifier Q&A

How To Set Your AC When You're Away   |   Save Money This Summer

My AC Won't Turn On!   |   The Benefits Of A Central AC System

8 Handy Spring Cleaning Tips   |   Can I Finance An HVAC System?

My Furnace Won't Turn Off!   |   Before You Buy A Smart Thermostat

How Much Insulation Do I Need?   |   How The Inflation Reduction Act Can Help You

HVAC Basics For New Homeowners   |   5 Common Winter HVAC Problems

Programmable Thermostats 101   |   Can A Furnace Catch Fire?

Staying Warm During Extremely Cold Weather   |   Is A Heat Pump Right For Me?

Is My Heater Broken?   |   Let's Talk About Carbon Monoxide

HVAC: Why It's A Great Career   |   Winter Storm Safety Tips

4 Tasks For The Pros & 3 To DIY   |   When Should I Replace My HVAC System?

How Does a Gas Furnace Work?   |   6 Things To Know About Smart Thermostats

Do I Need A Humidifier?   |   These Mistakes Will Spike Your Energy Bill

How Long Will My Furnace Last?   |   All About Furnace Tune-Ups

How Does HVAC Zoning Work?   |   That Dirty Filter Is Costing You Money!

Thermostat Best Practices: Fan ON or AUTO?   |   Choosing The Right HVAC Equipment

10 Things To Do Before Using Your Furnace   |   What Affects Air Conditioning Efficiency?

Is Air Quality Worse In The Summer?   |   Keeping Your Upstairs Comfortable

The Dog Days Of Summer   |   Help! My AC Is Leaking Refrigerant!

Summer Furnace Upgrades Are Ideal   |   4 Common AC Buying Mistakes

Remove Those Hot Spots!   |   Older ACs Can Be Health And Safety Hazards

Prepping Your AC For Summer   |   Help! My AC Is Leaking Water!

A Bigger AC Isn't Necessarily Better   |   Landscaping Best Practices Around Your AC Unit

How Old Is My Central AC System?   |   Whole-House Dehumidifiers Vs. Portable Units

Air Scrubbers And Why You Need Them   |   Why Is My Home's AC Not Running?

Turn On Your AC After Winter The Right Way   |   Stop Those Pesky Air Leaks!

Why Spring HVAC Maintenance Is Important   |   Copper AC Coils vs. Aluminum

Your Thermostat Can Save You Money   |   6 Furnace Safety Features

Change Your Thermostat Batteries Yearly   |   Super Bowl Party Tips

How Your Gas Furnace Works   |   Winter Heating Safety Risks

Help! What's This Blinking Light Mean?   |   HVAC Maintenance Goals

New Year, New AC!   |   New Year's HVAC Resolutions

The 12 Days Of Safety   |   7 Signs You Need A New Furnace

Trane Comfort Specialist - What It Means   |   Optimal Winter Thermostat Settings

Ideal Humidity = Ideal Comfort   |   Avoid Cold Spots In Your Home

Save Money This Winter   |   Beware Of HVAC Systems That Go Bump In The Night!

Is My Water Heater Dying?   |   5 Reasons To Upgrade Your Thermostat

Debunking 7 Common Radon Myths   |   It's Annual Furnace Tune-Up Time!

HVAC Tips For Pet Owners   |   Fall HVAC Preparation Checklist

Back-To-School HVAC Maintenance   |   Let's Talk About Air Filters

How Does Central Air Conditioning Work?   |   Air Cleaners vs. Air Filters

4 Signs It's Time For A New AC   |   Exploring Your Central AC System

AC Repairs - Least & Most Expensive   |   Air Conditioning's Top 10 Benefits

Does My Water Heater Need Repaired Or Replaced?   |   Protect Your AC Condenser From Bad Weather

Air Purifiers 101   |   3 Factors That Affect AC Efficiency

Don't Let Mold Harm Your Home And Your Health   |   What Type Of Furnace Is Right For Me?

Add UV Lighting For Your Family's Health   |   Stop Wasting Energy!

Here's 5 Great Home Makeover Ideas For The New Year   |   New HVAC System On Your Christmas List?

5 Easy Tasks To Prepare Your Home For Winter   |   Let's Talk About Your Leaky Ductwork

Please Don't Cover Up Your Thermostat   |   Tame These HVAC Scares This Halloween

What Do All These Letters Mean?   |   6 Easy, Affordable Ways To Boost Your Home's Value

Low Temperature = Quality Sleep   |   What Does HVAC Mean, And What Does It Stand For?

My AC Runs But Isn't Cold - What's Up?   |   Is Your AC Prepared For Summer's Thunderstorms?

Something's Wrong With My AC!   |   How Can I Afford A New Cooling System?

5 Easy Tasks To Prepare Your Home For Summer   |   The Problem With A Clogged Filter

5 AC Myths That Are Costing You Money   |   My Air Conditioner Smells Gross!

6 Signs It's Time For A New AC   |   5 Easy DIY Projects While You're Social Distancing

Choosing The Right Thermostat   |   What Does SEER Mean?

5 Easy Tasks To Prepare Your Home For Spring   |   Improve Your Winter Air Quality

The R-22 Ban: Do I Need To Replace My AC?   |   8 New Year's Resolutions For Your Family's Comfort

Using Your Programmable Thermostat Well   |   I Need A Quieter Furnace!

Know The Signs Of A Cracked Heat Exchanger   |   Carbon Monoxide FAQ

What's The Best Air Filter For My Allergies?   |   14 Easy Ways To Winterize Your Home

What's Up With My Weird Thermostat?   |   A Yearly Furnace Tune-Up Is Essential - Here's Why

Window AC Units Can Be Dangerous!   |   Prevent Summer Weather From Damaging Your Home

Why Is My Air Conditioner So Loud?   |   Keeping Cool In Hot Weather

Is It Time To Replace My AC?   |   Central Air Is The Best Cooling Option

Is An HVAC Tune-Up Really Worth It?   |   Does My Air Conditioner Need Repaired?

How To Reduce Dust In Your Home   |   The Importance Of Annual AC Tune-Ups

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality   |   Reduce Allergens In Your Home

Warmer Weather And Your Thermostat   |   Prepare Your AC For The Season

Time To Replace Your Furnace?   |   Handling Extreme Cold Well

Home Insulation Saves You Money   |   Humidity Isn't Just A Summer Issue

My Furnace Won't Stay On!   |   How Long Should My HVAC Equipment Last?

Tricks To Stay Warm This Winter   |   Winterize Your HVAC System

Don't Close Those Vents!   |   Phew! Furnace Smells You Shouldn't Ignore

Leave Furnace Repair And Installs To Us   |   Preventative Maintenance Matters

4 Important Tasks Before You Use Your Furnace   |   Prepare Your Home For Fall And Winter

Caulk And Seal Like A Pro!   |   Dealing With Extreme Heat

Don't Neglect Your Furnace In The Summer!   |   Preventing And Dealing With Water Damage

Why You Should Test Your Air Quality   |   Smart HVAC Technology For Your Home

Keep Your Vents Clean And Stylish   |   Save Money With A Home Energy Audit

Why Is My AC System Blowing Warm Air?   |   Reduce Humidity To Stay Cool

Summer Energy-Saving Tips   |   Create An Allergy-Free Home

Is My Air Conditioner Low On Refrigerant?   |   4 Essential HVAC Safety Tips

16 Easy Spring Tasks To Save You Money   |   My Air Conditioner Is So Noisy!

5 Ways To Stay Cool This Summer   |   4 Common AC Problems

Spring Cleaning Checklist   |   The Importance Of A Clean AC Condenser Coil

Improve Your Home's Indoor Air Quality   |   Prepare Your Cooling System For Summer

Why Is This Room Warmer Than The Rest Of My Home?   |   Retire Your Old Thermostat

About Our Blog

Containing the most current and easy-to-read expert information in the world of heating and cooling, our blog is intended to help you stay "in the know" and make the best decisions when it comes to keeping your home and family comfortable and your HVAC system trouble-free. That's how neighbors should treat neighbors!™

Recent Posts

Why Choose Hey Neighbor?

We're committed to providing fast friendly emergency service 24 hours a day 7 days a week for residential heating and air conditioning systems in Wooster, Millersburg and the surrounding areas.

Our 24-hour emergency on-call service means you'll never have to go through another cold winter night or a hot, humid summer day. We service residents of Wayne and Holmes counties with no after-hours or overtime fees, so you'll never have to worry about paying extra because your furnace or air conditioner decided it wanted to quit on the weekend or a holiday!

Our service trucks are ready for your emergency after-hours service call with over 5000 stocked parts so you don't have to wait for us to chase down the parts you need.

Expert Local Service

Furnace and AC Repair

Furnace and AC Repair

Fast and done right the first time

We'll keep your Wayne County furnace running smoothly, and we service gas and electric heaters, heat pumps, ductless mini-split systems and more. Our local, licensed, friendly HVAC technicians drive fully-stocked service vans so when we troubleshoot your Holmes County HVAC system and find a faulty part, we can replace it right then! Whatever you need in the area of heating and cooling repair in Wooster, Millersburg, and the surrounding areas, we've got you covered!

Installs and Upgrades

Installs and Upgrades

The right system for your home

Whether you're a homeowner in Rittman who's in the market for a new, high-efficiency furnace, a mobile home owner in Shreve who's tired of baking in the summertime or you're a property manager in Dalton looking to replace old, temperamental air conditioning systems in apartments with new reliable units, our experience enables us to quickly and accurately assess your HVAC needs. You'll get the new furnace install and central air conditioning upgrade that's right for you.

System Maintenance

System Maintenance

Protect your investment

While we don't mind visiting your home for a dead-of-winter breakdown (it's what we do), we want to help you avoid that unfortunate situation altogether. That's why we offer affordable Wayne and Holmes County seasonal HVAC maintenance to reduce the future need for heating and cooling repairs. Our thorough inspections catch little problems before they become big ones. An annual HVAC tune-up by one of our expert techs saves you money, time, and stress!

Latest HVAC Articles

Don't neglect your HVAC system investment - enroll in our Preventative Maintenance Program today and protect it year-round!
Feb 26, 2024

Preventative Maintenance Is A Savvy Move

Are you ready to keep your cool (or stay cozy warm) all year round? Well, listen up, because we've got some insider tips on how to make that happen hassle-free. Let's talk about HVAC... more...

Our comfort experts explain why these therapeutic devices can greatly enhance your family's health and well-being.
Jan 29, 2024

Is A Whole-House Humidifier Right For Me?

If you're wondering whether or not a whole-house humidifier is the missing piece to your cozy home puzzle, you've come to the right place. Today, let's embark on a journey to explore... more...

Let's talk about why upgrading to a new, high-efficiency HVAC system is the best new year's resolution!
Dec 26, 2023

The Best New Year's Resolution

As we bid farewell to the old and usher in the new, it's time to consider a resolution that not only promises year-round comfort but also puts more green in your pocket. Imagine a... more...

Schedule service

Communities We Serve

Wayne County, Ohio ~ Apple Creek, Ohio 44606 ~ Armstrong, Ohio 44214 ~ Burbank, Ohio 44214 ~ Burton City, Ohio 44667 ~ Congress, Ohio 44287 ~ Craigton, Ohio 44676 ~ Creston, Ohio 44217 ~ Dalton, Ohio 44618 ~ Doylestown, Ohio 44230 ~ Easton, Ohio 44270 ~ Fredericksburg, Ohio 44627 ~ Funk, Ohio 44691 ~ Kidron, Ohio 44636 ~ Lattasburg, Ohio 44287 ~ Marshallville, Ohio 44645 ~ Mount Eaton, Ohio 44569 ~ Orrville, Ohio 44667 ~ Pleasant Home, Ohio 44287 ~ Riceland, Ohio 44667 ~ Rittman, Ohio 44270 ~ Shreve, Ohio 44676 ~ Smithville, Ohio 44677 ~ Sterling, Ohio 44276 ~ West Salem, Ohio 44287 ~ Wooster, Ohio 44691 ~ and more!

Holmes County, Ohio ~ Baltic, Ohio 43804 ~ Becks Mills, Ohio 44654 ~ Berlin, Ohio 44654 ~ Charm, Ohio 44654 ~ Farmerstown, Ohio 43804 ~ Glenmont, Ohio 44628 ~ Holmesville, Ohio 44633 ~ Killbuck, Ohio 44637 ~ Lakeville, Ohio 44638 ~ Millersburg, Ohio 44654 ~ Mount Hope, Ohio 44627 ~ Nashville, Ohio 44611 ~ Saltillo, Ohio 44654 ~ Stillwell, Ohio 44637 ~ Trail, Ohio 44624 ~ Walnut Creek, Ohio 44681 ~ Winesburg, Ohio 44624 ~ and more!