Being a homeowner means juggling a few concerns in the winter. You want to be comfortable and not waste money, especially since heating costs this winter could be up to 30% more than usual. But could pipes freeze on freezing days if you set your thermostat low to save money? Let’s review the answers to help you stay cozy this winter without busting your budget.
Is 72 Too High for a Thermostat in Winter?
While 72 degrees is an adequate thermostat setting during the winter, you don’t want to go higher than that. Temperatures higher than 72 degrees mean spending more money on fuel than necessary.
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The other complication with temperatures greater than 72 degrees is that it can deplete your home’s relative humidity (RH). Humidity tends to be lower in the winter anyway so excessive heat will reduce your home’s humidity level even more. Indoor temperatures greater than 75 degrees in the winter are discouraged.
Indoor humidity should ideally be within a range of 30-60%. Low humidity indoors in the winter will affect your skin, making it itchy and uncomfortable, dry out your nose, throat, and eyes, making them more susceptible to germs, and drying out the wood in your home. It can even increase the odds of a fire in your home.
Does Turning Down the Thermostat Save Money?
Yes, setting your thermostat to a lower temperature will save money on your energy bills, but going too low can also be an issue. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can save up to 10% a year on their energy bills by lowering the thermostat 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day. If you turn down the thermostat when you’re not home and while sleeping, you’ll save even more. It also notes that savings are more substantial in milder climates than in the coldest areas.
Some people mistakenly believe that if a 7-10 degree change can save that much, a more significant drop in temperature would be even better. However, going too cold can lead to other complications because pipes can freeze at higher temperatures than you might expect.
Will Pipes Freeze at 55 Degrees?
People commonly think that since water freezes at 32 degrees, any interior temperature higher than 35 degrees should be warm enough to keep indoor pipes from freezing, but that’s not true. Homeowners should insulate pipes to prevent freezing as an unfinished basem*nt can get quite cold. Insulation can deplete over time due to age, being eaten by rodents and other pests, or accidentally removing it. Any of those circ*mstances could lead to pipes freezing – especially when the outside temperature is 20 degrees or colder. Generally, keeping your home at 55 degrees or warmer will prevent pipes from freezing.
What Temperature Should I Keep My House So the Pipes Don’t Freeze?
As explained, 55 degrees is usually considered the lowest thermostat setting to avoid frozen pipes. If temperatures outside are 20 degrees or lower for a sustained period and you have pipes without insulation in a crawl space or unfinished basem*nt, or if you believe insulation in areas through which the pipes run could be insufficient, a thermostat setting in the 60s may be safer.
Another reason for setting a minimum temperature in the 60s is that homes with temperatures colder than 62 degrees are usually damp, promoting the growth of mold and mildew. That can contribute to allergies and asthma attacks. Cold indoor temperatures can even cause blood pressure problems for some residents. Blood vessels narrow when temperatures are too cold, forcing higher blood pressure.
What Is a Reasonable Temperature for a House in Winter?
Experts recommend a temperature between 68 and 72 degrees when residents are home and active. It’s an acceptable range to avoid problems with a house being too hot or cold in the winter.
When away from home or sleeping, the recommendation is to lower the temperature by a few degrees, with 62 degrees being the lowest recommended thermostat setting for the reasons cited above. Research by the Mayo Clinic and other sources indicate that cooler temperatures while in bed can improve sleep.
Can I Save Money Setting My Thermostat to 68?
Compared to 70-72 degrees, thermostats set to 68 degrees will save money. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory performed a study that showed that people prefer a winter thermostat setting of 67-70 degrees. That pairs well with the 68-degree recommendation from the Department of Energy.
Should You Keep Your Thermostat at a Constant Temperature in Winter?
It is a fallacy that keeping the thermostat at a consistent temperature will use less fuel. A single, constant temperature uses more energy than lowering the thermostat when out or sleeping and raising it again when active.
When Should I Turn on My Heat?
Turn on your heating system when your home’s indoor temperature is below 64 degrees. That will maintain comfort and avoid the resulting dampness from too cold temperatures. Depending upon your personal preferences and the medical needs of those in your home, a 64-68 degrees threshold might be viable.
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FAQs
The recommended temperature to balance comfort and energy savings during winter when at home and active is 68 degrees. While sleeping, the thermostat can be set back to 62 degrees.
What is the best thermostat setting to save money in the winter? ›
Thermostat Operation
The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be. You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home.
What should your house temperature be in the winter to save money? ›
A temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit is often considered the best temperature to set thermostat in winter to save money. But why is 68 degrees the best winter thermostat setting? In winter, heat loss through walls, windows, and doors is a significant contributor to energy wastage.
Is 72 too high for a thermostat in winter? ›
The lower the temperature is inside of the home, the slower the rate of thermal energy loss. To achieve optimal comfort, it is recommended for homeowners to set their thermostats between 68 to 72 degrees while there are people inside of the home.
What temperature should I keep my house in winter so pipes don't freeze? ›
If you plan to be away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F. For the long term, add insulation to attics, basem*nts, and crawl spaces. Insulation will maintain higher temperatures in those areas.
Is 65 too cold for a house? ›
The World Health Organization recommends keeping indoor temperatures between 64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for healthy people. The minimum temperature should be kept above 68 degrees Fahrenheit to protect the very young, the elderly, or people with health problems. Watch out for signs of hypothermia.
Is 78 too hot for a house? ›
According to Energy Star, it's an ideal temperature. 78 degrees keeps you fairly cool and comfortable during the day. It also shouldn't make your electric bill skyrocket. Start with your thermostat at 78.
What is the cheapest temperature to keep your house in winter when away? ›
When preparing your home for winter if you plan to be away, the best thermostat settings are between 55 and 60°F. If your winters are mild and freezing pipes are not as much of a concern, you can go lower to 45°F to potentially save money.
What is the lowest temperature to keep a house in winter? ›
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends setting your thermostat no lower than 64 degrees (F) in the Winter months while people are in the home. If there are infants or elderly individuals, they recommend keeping the temperature at 70 degrees at a minimum.
What house temp saves the most money? ›
The bottom line
By reducing your home's temperature to 68 degrees Fahrenheit and under during winter and about 78 degrees Fahrenheit during summer, you can conserve energy and cut down your energy bills for good.
The winter thermostat setting should at minimum be between 50-55 degrees to keep your appliances and pipes from freezing. The worst way to end a vacation or wake up one morning is to a frozen dishwasher or a flooded basem*nt.
How high should thermostat be set in winter? ›
Popular Science agrees 68 degrees is a normal temperature for the winter and suggests layering clothing as a way to stay warm in the cooler house temperature.
Is 72 degrees hot for a house in winter? ›
It is great to set the temperature to 72 degrees in the wintertime because it's a comfortable temperature while still being cold enough to save energy. The closer your house is to the temperature outside, the less your HVAC system has to work to maintain the temperature.
How to set a thermostat to save money in winter? ›
The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) recommends that you set your thermostat at 68° F for the majority of each winter day. This is the temperature they recommend while you are home and active around the house, which will give a comfortable level of heat while insulating you against hefty energy bills.
What temperature should I set my thermostat to keep pipes from freezing? ›
ANSWER: Anywhere from 55-62 degrees will keep your pipes from freezing while cutting your heating bill dramatically. PROCESS: While the weather outside is frightful and inside is so delightful, sooner or later you'll have to brave the blizzard and leave the house.
What temperature should I keep my house to save money? ›
Being smart about your thermostat settings can make a real difference to your energy consumption year-round. By reducing your home's temperature to 68 degrees Fahrenheit and under during winter and about 78 degrees Fahrenheit during summer, you can conserve energy and cut down your energy bills for good.
Is it cheaper to leave your thermostat at one temperature? ›
Keeping your home at a constant temperature generally means that your HVAC system will run constantly to meet it. This means that your furnace or air conditioner may run when you're asleep, at work, or out of the house. This wastes more energy than the minimal amount that you might save by having it constantly run.
How much can you save by lowering thermostat in winter? ›
During cold months, turning the temperature back by 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day from your normal setting could save as much as 10 percent a year on energy use, the Energy Department estimates. “People shouldn't be focused on some magic number that they want to set their thermostat to,” Amann said.
Does it cost more to keep turning heat on and off? ›
"Having the heating on only when you need it is, in the long run, the best way to save energy, and therefore money," his MoneySavingExpert website explains. "A timer's best as your thermostat turns your heating on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set.
What temperature should I keep my house in winter when away? ›
Whether you plan to leave for a vacation or for the season, most heating and cooling professionals recommend setting the thermostat to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature will reduce your heating costs and minimize the risk for hazards such as frozen or burst pipes and flooding.
Being a homeowner means juggling a few concerns in the winter. You want to be comfortable and not waste money, especially since heating costs this winter could be up to 30% more than usual. But could pipes freeze on freezing days if you set your thermostat low to save money? Let’s review the answers to help you stay cozy this winter without busting your budget. 
