Heating season is here in North Jersey, and the thermostat is the easiest place to save money without giving up comfort. Here's how to set it for winter, and the few situations where a big setback can backfire.
A good starting point
- Around 68°F while you're home and awake. It's the setting the U.S. Department of Energy suggests for winter, and most people adjust from there.
- Lower it while you sleep or while you're out. The Department of Energy says turning the thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees for about 8 hours a day can save as much as 10% a year on heating.
- Let a schedule do the work. A programmable or smart thermostat makes the setback happen every day without you thinking about it.
When to go easy on the setback
- Heat pumps: a big drop can make the system call for backup electric heat when it recovers, which costs more. Smaller setbacks, or a thermostat built for heat pumps, work better.
- Boilers and radiant heat: hot-water systems warm up slowly, so a moderate setback and an earlier wake-up time keep the house comfortable.
- Away for days? Don't turn the heat off. Keep it high enough that pipes on outside walls, in crawl spaces and in unheated rooms don't freeze. Read our frozen pipes guide.
Quick thermostat checks
- Fresh batteries if your thermostat uses them. Weak batteries can make it act strange or stop calling for heat.
- Location matters. A thermostat in direct sun, near a lamp or next to a drafty door reads the wrong temperature.
- Set to HEAT, not OFF or COOL, and check that the schedule matches your week.
If the house still won't stay warm
If you've set the thermostat right and some rooms still feel cold, or the system runs constantly, the problem is usually the heating system, not the setting. Read why one room is colder than the rest, or have it checked. Our NATE-certified technicians start with a $79 diagnostic, credited toward the repair, give you a written price before any work starts, and back every job with our 1-year parts and labor warranty. Same-day service, 24/7.
Learn more about furnace service and boiler heating.
House still not warm enough?
$79 diagnostic credited toward the repair, a written price before work starts, and a 1-year parts & labor warranty on every job. Call (866) 737-2830 or book online.
- What temperature should I set my thermostat to in winter?
- Around 68°F while you're home and awake is a common starting point, and the U.S. Department of Energy suggests it for winter. Lower it while you sleep or are away.
- How much can I save by turning my thermostat down at night?
- The U.S. Department of Energy says turning the thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees for about 8 hours a day can save as much as 10% a year on heating.
- Should I turn my heat off when I go away?
- No. Keep the heat on and set high enough that pipes on outside walls and in unheated spaces don't freeze.
- Is a big setback bad for a heat pump?
- It can be. A large drop can make a heat pump use backup electric heat when it recovers. Smaller setbacks usually work better.