Put that thermostat back on 72F… please

Is there a perfect temperature for your house?

If you’re reading this article, you’re one of two people in the world. You’re either the one who sets the thermostat way too low and way too high, or you’re the one who’s completely anal about having it at this one specific temperature.

Or, you’re part of that mystery third group who doesn’t care what environmental state the home is in.

Whoever you are, it’s time to set the record straight.

The heating and cooling of your home is the biggest utility cost you face. So, why not spend only as much as you have to, and do this thing right? Is there a magic number to set your thermostat to? What’s the difference of a few degrees? Should you turn your AC off when you’re away? We’ll address these questions… and more!

Magic number 72F

72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius). For a certain group of people, this is the magic number for year-round savings.

Let’s start with this: for the most part, 72F is an all around fair number. It’s high enough to stay warm in the winters, and low enough to be comfortable in the summers. It’s surprisingly cheaper than holding 85F or 68F, and feels about the same. So… what’s wrong with it?

Well, turns out that, as you could infer, there is no magic number. For one, weather varies all over the country, so it’s going to be hard to find something that works everywhere. Secondly, changing the temperature to suit the seasons (and the time of day) actually saves more money than finding any magic number.

Yes, this means you can’t just program your thermostat and walk away indefinitely. We’re sorry. Try setting it at 68–72F in the winter, and 75–78F in the summers. As a general rule of thumb, reduce or add 5 degrees Fahrenheit from what is the average “comfortable” number for a season.

The difference of a few degrees

Maybe it doesn’t seem like it will change much to vary your setting by a degree or two. But it very much could.

You could save as much as 5% on your heating bill for every degree you change your thermostat by. Is 15% or more savings worth putting on a thicker sweater or sitting in the shade to you? The answer for us is an obvious: duh.

Should you turn the AC off?

So. There’s no one magic number to set your thermostat to. And changing the temperature a little bit can cause drastic savings. But, what about turning your AC off entirely when you’re away from the home in the summers? That saves a lot of money, right?

Well. Maybe?

If you live in a hotter climate, turning the AC off will cause your home to grow incredibly hot. When you return and flip the AC back on, it will have to run longer and harder to get back to a comfortable temperature, meaning this may cost more than the original savings are worth. And your AC will wear out faster. Now, if you live in a cooler climate, this isn’t a bad savings tactic.

For those of us in more varying climates, however, a better tactic is to simply raise (or lower in the winters) the number the thermostat is at while you’re away. Try changing the number 5–10 degrees for optimal savings (without hurting pets at home or freezing pipes). Do the same overnight.

Bonus: programmable thermostats

This is really where it’s at.

If you own a normal thermostat, the above guidelines are just fine. But, if you’re into adopting smart technology, a programmable thermostat is the way to go. You can teach it when you’re home, and it will learn to raise or lower the temperature based on your arrival times. Never touch the thermostat again, and save big.

Now, educate your friends.