What Temperature to Set Your Thermostat to in Winter?

For many homes, 68°F while you’re awake and home is a practical starting point for what temperature to set your thermostat in winter. Lower it modestly during sleep or time away if everyone stays comfortable.

On this page (10 sections)

What temperature should you set your thermostat to in winter?
Should you lower the thermostat while you sleep or leave home?
How should you set a heat pump in winter?
How can a thermostat schedule help with winter settings?
Can a smart thermostat help manage winter temperatures?
Why might 68°F still feel cold?
How can you adjust winter settings without wasting heat?
What temperature should you leave your home at while away?
Which thermostat fits a winter temperature routine?
Related thermostat guides

For what temperature to set your thermostat in winter, start near 68°F while you’re home and awake. Lower it modestly for sleep or short absences if everyone stays comfortable, and adjust for drafts, insulation, your heating system, and the people in your home.

A schedule can make those changes easier. Set temperatures around your routine, allow time for the home to warm before you need it, and change one setting at a time so you can tell what feels right.

What temperature should you set your thermostat to in winter?

Try 68°F while you’re home and awake, then adjust by a degree or two to find a comfortable setting. Clothing, activity, drafts, humidity, insulation, and heating equipment all affect how warm a room feels.

A lower setting can reduce heating demand, but comfort comes first. If you feel cold or the home takes too long to warm, raise the setting or begin the recovery period earlier.

Choose a setting that works for everyone in the household. Infants, older adults, people who are ill, and anyone sensitive to cold may need a warmer room; ask a health professional about specific temperature needs.

Should you lower the thermostat while you sleep or leave home?

A modest setback during sleep or a short absence can reduce heating demand if it suits your household and system. Pick a temperature that still lets everyone sleep comfortably and gives the house time to recover before you return.

Start with a small change rather than a sharp drop. If you wake cold or the house feels uncomfortable for too long, make the setback smaller or schedule the heat to come on earlier.

The Google Nest Thermostat suits people who want an app-based schedule and remote adjustments from a phone, laptop, or tablet. It can turn itself down when you leave and offers schedule suggestions.

Choose another option if you want a simple control without app features.

For an extended absence, don't switch off the heat without considering freezing pipes and local weather. The safe minimum depends on the home, plumbing, and system, so ask a local heating professional if you're unsure.

How should you set a heat pump in winter?

Check your heat pump’s guidance before using a large setback. Some systems may call on backup heat to recover from a big temperature change, which can affect energy use.

A steady temperature or smaller setback may suit some heat pump homes better than a sharp overnight drop. Check the system manual or ask an HVAC professional how your equipment handles recovery and backup heat.

The Honeywell Home X2P fits compatible single-stage systems, including single-stage heat pumps, and offers 5-2 scheduling or a non-programmable option. Skip it if you have a multi-stage system or electric baseboard heat, which it does not support.

If you have a mini split, confirm thermostat compatibility before choosing a control. For other compatibility questions, see our guide to what type of thermostat you have.

How can a thermostat schedule help with winter settings?

Set the schedule around when people are home, asleep, or away, then revise it when your routine changes. That can prevent the system from heating an empty home as if everyone were there.

Start with a comfortable home setting, a modestly lower sleep setting, and an away setting for predictable absences. Note how long your home takes to warm before you set the recovery time.

The Honeywell Home T5 suits households that want a 7-day schedule or location-based temperature changes. Its geofence uses a smartphone's location to recognize when you leave or return.

Skip it if you can't confirm the required power setup: a C-wire power adapter may be needed.

Before choosing the T5, check whether your system needs a C-wire adapter and whether it is compatible with the thermostat. If you're not sure what control is installed, start with how to identify your thermostat type.

Can a smart thermostat help manage winter temperatures?

A smart thermostat can simplify schedules and remote adjustments, but you still need to choose a comfortable setting and review the schedule when your routine changes. App control can help when plans shift; it does not replace checking system compatibility.

The ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced suits households that want occupancy sensing, schedule adjustments, app control, and compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, or SmartThings. It includes a Power Extender Kit for homes without a C-wire, though you should still use ecobee’s compatibility checker before buying.

ecobee SmartSensors, sold separately, can help prioritize rooms where people spend time. Skip this model if you prefer a basic thermostat without connected controls or don't want to check setup and system compatibility first.

Compare options in our guide to ENERGY STAR thermostats, or read whether a smart thermostat suits your home.

Why might 68°F still feel cold?

A 68°F reading doesn't mean every room feels the same. Drafts, cold windows, blocked airflow, and thermostat placement can leave some spaces cooler than the area around the thermostat.

Check that vents and radiators aren't blocked by furniture or curtains. Close doors to unused rooms only if that won't disrupt airflow or leave pipes in a cold area.

A thermostat near a sunny window, draft, or heat source may read a temperature that doesn't reflect the rest of the home. Our guide to where to place a thermostat covers common placement problems.

How can you adjust winter settings without wasting heat?

Make one small change at a time and observe how the home responds. Keep a note of the setting, time, and comfort so you can decide whether to keep the change.

Close curtains at night if they help reduce drafts, and open them when sunlight warms a room if privacy and glare allow. Keep doors and vents clear, and seal obvious drafts when it is safe and practical.

Don't set the thermostat far above your target to warm the house faster. Most systems warm at their normal rate, so choose the temperature you want and give the home time to reach it.

Common mistakes include changing several settings at once, making a large setback before understanding how the system recovers, and forgetting to update a schedule after a change in routine. Check the program after travel or seasonal schedule changes.

What temperature should you leave your home at while away?

Use an away setting that balances energy use with the risk of cold damage. The safest choice depends on outdoor temperatures, insulation, plumbing locations, and how long you'll be gone.

Before leaving during a cold spell, check the forecast and make sure the heating system can maintain your chosen temperature. If pipes run through cold areas, ask a local professional whether your home needs extra precautions.

For a short absence, a modest setback may be enough. For a longer trip, a schedule or remote control can help you check the setting, but don't rely on an app if the home loses power or internet access.

Which thermostat fits a winter temperature routine?

Choose the thermostat that matches your system and the way you want to manage temperature changes. Check compatibility before replacing a control, especially with a heat pump, mini split, multi-stage system, or electric baseboard heat.

Choose the Google Nest Thermostat if you want app scheduling, remote control, and schedule suggestions.
Choose the Honeywell Home X2P if your system is compatible and you want straightforward 5-2 scheduling or a non-programmable option.
Choose the Honeywell Home T5 if you want a 7-day schedule or geofence control and can meet its power requirements.
Choose the ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced if occupancy sensing, connected controls, and optional room sensors fit your home.

If you mainly want to know what temperature to set your thermostat in winter, begin near 68°F while home and awake, then try a modest setback for sleep or time away. For more options, see the best thermostats for your home.

Frequently asked questions

What temperature should I set my thermostat to in winter?

For many homes, 68°F while people are awake and home is a useful starting point. Lower the setting during sleep or time away if everyone remains comfortable, then adjust by a degree or two based on your home and heating system.

There is no single setting that suits every household.

Is 68°F a good temperature for winter?

Yes, 68°F is a reasonable starting point for many households while people are home and awake. Wear comfortable layers and make small changes if needed.

If someone at home is very young, older, ill, or sensitive to cold, use a setting that keeps them safely comfortable.

Should I lower the thermostat at night in winter?

You can lower the setting at night if everyone stays comfortable and the home remains warm enough. A programmable thermostat can restore your daytime setting before you wake.

If you use a heat pump, check its guidance because a large setback may bring on less efficient backup heat.

What temperature should I leave my house at in winter?

Choose an away setting that saves energy while keeping your home and plumbing safe for local conditions. The right minimum depends on insulation, outdoor temperatures, pipe locations, and your heating system.

For an extended trip or severe cold, ask a qualified local professional what precautions suit your home.