What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
Set your thermostat around your household’s routine: choose a comfortable setting for the hours people are home and active, then schedule a different setting for sleep or regular absences. In cooling mode, that usually means raising the setpoint overnight or while the home is empty; in heating mode, it means lowering it. The right temperatures depend on comfort, climate, humidity and your HVAC system—not just the outdoor thermometer.
Set separate comfort and sleep periods
A thermostat tells your heating or cooling equipment when to operate to reach an indoor setpoint. It does not make outdoor conditions irrelevant: weather, insulation, humidity and the HVAC system affect how quickly the home changes temperature and how hard equipment must work.
Start with a daytime comfort setting that feels right when people are home and active. If cooler nights suit the household, make a separate sleep period. For cooling, set a warmer target during sleep or regular absences; for heating, set a cooler target. The thermostat then calls for less cooling or heating during those periods than it would to maintain the occupied comfort setting.
Program the schedule around your routine
- Identify the system and mode. Check whether the thermostat controls heating, cooling or a heat pump. If you are unsure what the controls do, consult the thermostat or equipment manual.
- Choose occupied and sleep settings. Set a comfortable target for the hours people are home and active. Add a sleep period if a different overnight temperature is comfortable.
- Use an away period if your routine is predictable. During regular absences, schedule a warmer target in cooling mode or a cooler target in heating mode instead of conditioning an empty home to the occupied setting.
- Set the return time. Have the schedule move back toward the occupied setting when it suits your household. Allow for how quickly your home and equipment respond; avoid assuming every system recovers at the same rate.
- Make modest adjustments and observe. Change settings gradually and see whether the result is comfortable. There is no single temperature that suits every home.
Programmable thermostats typically let you assign setpoints to fixed time periods. Depending on the model, a smart thermostat may learn a routine or use occupancy detection, remote control or sensors. Those features vary, and none is necessary if your current thermostat lets you make the adjustments manually. The U.S. Department of Energy explains how programmable schedules work in its HVAC programmable thermostats guide.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY PROTECTION*: Sensi won’t sell your personal information to third parties
- EASY DIY INSTALLATION: Use the built-in level and step-by-step app instructions for a quick installation. Works with HVAC equipment found in most homes. Common wire (c-wire) is not required in most applications
- SAVE ABOUT 23% ON HVAC ENERGY*: The ENERGY STAR-certified Sensi smart thermostat can help you save energy with features like flexible scheduling, remote access and usage reports
- SIMPLE CONFIGURATION: Looks and feels like a thermostat. Has buttons and fits the same space as a traditional thermostat so you don’t have to patch and paint your walls
- SMART MAINTENANCE: Sensi can help monitor the performance and efficiency of your HVAC system by delivering valuable usage reports, alerts about your equipment, and maintenance reminders like filter replacement
Why the adjustment changes with heating or cooling
- Cooling season: A higher setpoint during sleep or absence reduces the cooling demand compared with holding the occupied comfort setting.
- Heating season: A lower setpoint during sleep or absence reduces the heating demand compared with maintaining the occupied comfort setting.
ENERGY STAR’s archived 2009-era consumer guide offered a change of 5–8 degrees—down in winter and up in summer—when away for several hours as general guidance. Treat that as a historical starting point, not a guaranteed saving or a universal prescription; your comfort, schedule, equipment and home all matter. The archived guide is available at Get the Greatest Benefit from Your Programmable Thermostat.
Use extra care with heat pumps and specialized systems
Heat-pump response and thermostat compatibility can make recovery from a setback different from a conventional system. Follow the equipment manufacturer’s guidance rather than making aggressive changes based on a generic schedule. If you are unsure whether a setting is appropriate, ask a qualified HVAC professional.
Rank #2
- An Alexa thermostat - Amazon Smart Thermostat is an easy way to switch from a traditional thermostats for homes and help reduce energy usage.
- Create comfort zones throughout your home by connecting to select Alexa devices to automatically adjust heating and cooling based on temperature readings or presence detection.
- Save money and energy - After purchase, Amazon will send you an email with details about home thermostat rebates that may be available from energy providers in your area.
- Save energy - According to EPA estimates, ENERGY STAR certified thermostats save an average of $90 on yearly energy bills.
- Programmable thermostat and automatic control - Create your own home, away and sleep schedules, or have Alexa automatically control the temperature with Alexa+ advanced features.
Before replacing a thermostat, confirm that it supports your actual equipment and wiring. Heat pumps, multistage or variable-capacity systems, multiple zones and line-voltage systems may need specific controls or installation guidance. ENERGY STAR advises checking compatibility and notes that some specialized equipment may work best with a controller from its manufacturer: Smart Thermostats buying guidance.
Recommended Free Tools
Do you need a new thermostat?
No, not if your existing thermostat can be adjusted to create the periods you want. A programmable or smart model is optional: it can automate the schedule if your current thermostat lacks scheduling or if you value its particular features. Before choosing one, compare compatibility with your HVAC system and wiring, support for your heat pump or stages, scheduling options, and whether Wi-Fi, an app, sensors, geofencing or remote control are useful to you. Also check power requirements, installation support and whether a local utility incentive is actually available. ENERGY STAR’s smart thermostat guidance and smart thermostat FAQs explain certification and features; geofencing is not required for ENERGY STAR certification.
Rank #3
- ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat for home that helps you save energy and stay comfortable.Connectivity : Wi-Fi - 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz, 802.11a/n 5 GHz Wi-Fi., Wireless interconnect : Bluetooth Low Energy Please refer to the product description section below for all applicable legal disclaimers.Product note: You can also check your system’s compatibility before purchasing a Nest thermostat with our online Nest Compatibility Checker on the Google Nest support page
- The Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C wire in most homes, but for some systems, including heating only, cooling only, zone controlled, and heat pump systems, you’ll need a C wire or other compatible power accessory
- Nest Thermostat turns itself down when you leave, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty home. Lock feature: No
- Programmable thermostat that lets you create an energy efficient schedule in the Google Home app on your Android or iPhone
- Remote control lets family members change the thermostat temperature from anywhere on a phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
What to expect from energy savings
A schedule can reduce heating or cooling during sleep and regular absences, but a particular setting does not guarantee a fixed dollar or percentage reduction. ENERGY STAR says estimates vary with heating and cooling degree days, HVAC equipment and home characteristics. Its 2009-era guide also included an annual dollar estimate; that dated figure should not be treated as a current expected saving for an individual household. See ENERGY STAR’s Heat & Cool Efficiently page for broader efficiency guidance.
A ceiling fan can make people feel cooler by moving air, but it does not cool the room; switch it off when nobody is there. ENERGY STAR discusses this and other summer cooling tips in Keep Your Cool AND Save Your Money this Summer.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat for home that helps you save energy and stay comfortable.Product note: You can also check your system’s compatibility before purchasing a Nest thermostat with our online Nest Compatibility Checker on the Google Nest support page.Connectivity Protocol : Wi-Fi.Connectivity Protocol : Wi-Fi
- The Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C wire in most homes, but for some systems, including heating only, cooling only, zone controlled, and heat pump systems, you’ll need a C wire or other compatible power accessory. Lock feature: No
- Nest Thermostat turns itself down when you leave, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty home; easily program an energy efficient schedule in the Google home app on your Android or iPhone
- Remote control lets family members change the thermostat temperature from anywhere on a phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
- Savings Finder looks for more ways your thermostat can help you save, and suggests tweaks to your schedule in the app; check with your energy provider to learn more about rebates and more ways to save on a Nest thermostat
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems
