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For many U.S. households, about 68°F while people are home and awake is a practical winter starting point if it feels comfortable. It is energy guidance—not a health, safety, or building-code rule. Setbacks for sleep or a routine absence are a separate choice; if you leave during cold weather, the American Red Cross advises leaving the heat on and setting the thermostat no lower than 55°F to reduce frozen-pipe risk.
Choose an occupied temperature that balances comfort and energy use
The U.S. Department of Energy’s 2016 educational webinar says, “In the WINTER try not to set your thermostat higher than 68°F.” Treat that as a general efficiency guideline, not a mandatory target: household comfort and health needs differ. If someone at home feels cold or has a medical need, a warmer setting may be appropriate.
Older adults can be more susceptible to cold-related health problems. The CDC recommends checking home temperature often for older adults and, during extreme cold, not letting infants under one year sleep in a cold room. These considerations may outweigh an energy-oriented target. CDC winter-storm safety guidance
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchSetbacks for sleep or a regular absence are different from the occupied setting
First choose a comfortable temperature for when people are home and awake. Then, if appropriate for your household and heating system, schedule a lower temperature during sleep or a predictable period away. The Department of Energy says turning the thermostat back 7–10°F from its normal setting for eight hours a day can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling costs. That is a potential, not a promised result; actual savings depend on the home, equipment, weather, and schedule. DOE home-upgrade guidance
#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)
ENERGY STAR’s 2009 programmable-thermostat guide likewise presents setback schedules as something to adapt to the family’s routine and comfort. It does not establish a fixed bill reduction for every degree or schedule. ENERGY STAR programmable-thermostat guide
For a longer winter absence, protect the plumbing
Do not turn the heat off when leaving a home during cold weather. The American Red Cross advises: “If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.” The source page does not state a publication date. This is advice intended to reduce frozen-pipe risk, not a guarantee: pipe locations, insulation, drafts, and outdoor conditions all matter. American Red Cross frozen-pipe guidance
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
During very cold weather, the Red Cross also advises keeping the thermostat at the same temperature day and night. That can cost more in heating, but may help prevent costly pipe damage. It recommends these additional precautions where relevant:
- Let cold water drip from faucets served by exposed pipes.
- Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors so warmer air can reach plumbing.
- Keep garage doors closed if water lines run through the garage.
The CDC also advises keeping a home warm and allowing heated air to reach pipes. CDC winter-storm safety guidance
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.
Check how your heating system handles setbacks
Conventional furnaces
A scheduled setback may suit a routine sleep or away period, provided the lower temperature remains comfortable and safe for the occupants and the home. The cited savings estimate is a potential, not a guarantee.
Heat pumps
Thermostat scheduling can work differently with heat pumps. DOE says programmable thermostats have generally not been recommended for heat pumps, although some newer products make setbacks cost-effective. ENERGY STAR’s guide notes that a heat pump may require a special programmable thermostat. Before using an aggressive setback, check the heat-pump manufacturer’s guidance or ask a qualified HVAC contractor.
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.
A smart thermostat is optional; verify compatibility before buying
A smart thermostat can add scheduling, remote adjustment, vacation mode, learning features, or sensors that account for temperature differences between rooms. ENERGY STAR says its certified smart thermostats are independently certified using actual field data. These features are conveniences, not prerequisites for setting a sensible winter temperature. ENERGY STAR smart thermostat guidance
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Before purchasing, check that a thermostat supports your specific heating and cooling system. Many models use low-voltage wiring, and some require a C-wire or an adapter. Do not assume a model is compatible based only on its smart features.
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