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When fall or winter weather arrives, try lowering your thermostat by 7–10°F for about eight hours while you sleep or are away—if that is comfortable and appropriate for your heating system. The U.S. Department of Energy says this schedule may save as much as 10% per year on heating and cooling, but it is not a guaranteed bill reduction or a universal temperature prescription. Heat-pump owners should use a thermostat designed for heat pumps before scheduling this setback.
What temperature should you set when the weather gets colder?
There is no single occupied temperature that suits every household. Choose a setting that feels comfortable while you are home, then consider a setback during sleep or other unoccupied hours. The useful rule is the size and duration of the adjustment—not a magic number on the thermostat.
In its 2022 Energy Saver guide, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends lowering the temperature by 7–10°F for eight hours a day during fall and winter as a potential way to save energy. DOE estimates this practice may save as much as 10% per year on heating and cooling. Actual results depend on the home and its schedule; treat the figure as a potential estimate, not a promise.
That guidance is about energy savings, not a comfort mandate. In a 2019 statement, DOE said Americans should set their thermostats to whatever temperature they choose. Use the setback only if it works for your comfort and circumstances.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Notice】Please make sure to read the installation and wiring instructions provided in the pictures carefully before buying. If you are inexperienced with installation, it is advised to be cautious when making a purchase to avoid issues like product failure or incompatibility. (Verify the existing base to ensure only 2 to 5 wires are compatible for installation and wiring).
- 【Thermostat Applications 1H/1C】for with Conventional Single-Stage Heating & Air Conditioning, up to 1 Heat and 1 Cool. Gas/Oil/Electric Furnace (Heat only), Boiler Radiant (Heat only), Furnace Forced-Air (Heat Only), Gas Fireplace (24 Volts), Cooling Only, Only 1H/1C Heat Pump (without aux) Systems.
- 【Incompatible Systems】Does not work multistage systems (1H/2C, 2H/2C), HVAC heat pump systems (2H/1C, 4H/2C), PTACs, 3-wire hydronic (hot water), dual fuel/hybrid heating. Does not work line voltage systems (120-240V electric baseboards heat); mini split heat pump air conditioner, RV air conditioners mach and roughneck series.
- Suuwer S705 5-1-1 day programmable thermostat 1 Heat/ 1 Cool. Separate programs for the weekdays and weekends with 4 program periods per day including wake, leave, return and sleep.
- 【Technical support】 Separate heat or cool swing set up (0.2°F to 2°F) and 5 minute compressor delay protection (Selectable ON or OFF). Digital thermostat has a built-in battery change and filter change reminders (Set 50-2000 hours)
Should you turn the thermostat down at night or when you leave?
Either can be a practical time for a setback: the key is having a lower setting for a sustained period when the home does not need its usual occupied temperature. DOE’s recommendation is about eight hours a day, so choose a sleep or away window that fits your routine rather than changing the setting constantly.
You can make the adjustment manually, or use a programmable thermostat to schedule it. DOE describes programmable and smart thermostats as ways to automate schedules; remote control is also available on some models. Buying a new thermostat is not necessary if you can make the adjustment with your existing controls.
Rank #2
- 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
Heat pumps need a compatible setback control
If your home uses a heat pump, do not apply the general setback advice without a smart or programmable thermostat designed for heat pumps. DOE’s 2022 guide gives this specific warning: “If you have a heat pump, don’t do this without a smart or programmable thermostat designed for use with heat pumps.”
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The reason is how some systems respond when asked to raise the temperature again. DOE’s heat-pump purchasing guidance explains that suitable controls can ramp the temperature up gradually to help avoid activating electric resistance heating elements. Check thermostat compatibility with your equipment before setting an automated recovery schedule.
Rank #3
- · High Compatibility: Forced air (gas, oil or electric), Electric furnace, Hot water steam or gravity radiant heat, Heat only systems, Heat pump w/o auxiliary or emergency heat, Millivolt, Gas fireplaces (24V), Floor or wall furnaces, Cool only systems.(TIP: Before purchasing, check to see if this thermostat is compatible with your system.)
- · Not Compatible: Heat pump with auxiliary or emergency heat, Dual fuel/hybrid heating, Electric baseboard heat (110-240 volts), Line voltage, Convectors, Radiant-ceiling heat, Mini split systems and 12V RV systems.
- · Easy to Install and Use: Large terminal blocks with universal sub-base, can be installed within 30 minutes, Large, clear, easy-to-read backlight LCD display and easy controls make for a user-friendly experience.
- · Factory Pre-set Energy-efficiency Program: 7-day, 5/1/1 easy-to-understand programming menus, flexible programming lets you sync your comfort with your schedule.
- · Reliability: Made by professional manufacturer and backed by over 20 years of experience, the customer service is 7*24 hrs available.
Choose the approach that fits your home
| Approach | What it means | When it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Manual adjustment | Change the thermostat yourself for sleep or away periods. | You are comfortable managing the schedule and your equipment supports the setback. |
| Programmable or smart schedule | Set the thermostat to change temperatures at chosen times; some smart models also offer remote control. | You want the routine automated. For a heat pump, confirm that the control is designed for heat-pump use. |
| No setback | Keep the temperature at a setting that suits your household. | The change is uncomfortable, impractical, or not appropriate for your system. |
DOE discusses thermostat scheduling and home energy improvements in its Home Upgrades guidance. The savings advice is an option for households seeking to reduce energy use, not a requirement to prioritize savings over comfort.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 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.
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.
