What Temperature Should Your Thermostat Be Set To?

Certain factors influence at what temperature you set your thermostat, but it’s primarily a matter of personal preference. Setting it too high or low could not only impact your comfort but also your energy bills and HVAC system. The following is information helpful for deciding what to set your thermostat to at your California home.

Best Thermostat Temperature for Summer and Winter

It’s typically best to set your thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter and approximately 78 degrees during the warmer months. This will prevent your heating system or AC from coming on too frequently and running for shorter periods. It will also help keep your heating and cooling costs low while reducing the wear and tear your HVAC system experiences.

Setting your thermostat to a much higher temperature in the winter or significantly lower in the summer will strain your HVAC system. This added strain can possibly shorten the life span of your furnace and AC or cause the unit to require more frequent repairs. It will also undoubtedly raise your energy bills.

Programming Your Thermostat for Day and Night

To maximize energy efficiency, adjust your thermostat based on your daily routine. Avoid turning your HVAC system off completely, except during mild weather when indoor temperatures stay comfortable without heating or cooling.

Winter Thermostat Settings

In colder months, set your thermostat to around 60°F when you’re asleep or away during the day. Program it to warm up before you wake or return home. If you prefer a warmer sleeping environment, reduce the temperature by just a few degrees instead.

Summer Thermostat Settings

In summer, raise your thermostat to 75–78°F when you’re not home to save energy. Don’t set it too high—overheating your home can strain your AC when cooling resumes. At night, only increase the temp slightly to maintain comfortable sleep conditions. On cooler, less humid evenings, consider turning off the AC and opening windows to reduce energy use even more.

Using a programmable or smart thermostat makes these adjustments easy and can significantly cut your energy bills.

How Adjusting the Temperature Can Save Money on Your Energy Bills

Adjusting your thermostat by just a few degrees can lead to significant energy savings. In fact, most HVAC systems use about 1% more or less energy for every degree you adjust the temperature.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can cut your energy bill by up to 10% by setting your thermostat 7–10 degrees higher in summer or lower in winter for just 8 hours a day—such as while you’re at work or sleeping. Over time, these small changes can save you hundreds of dollars per year.

How Humidity Affects How Your Home Feels

Humidity levels have a big impact on how warm your home feels and how hard your AC has to work. High humidity makes it harder for your body to cool down because sweat evaporates more slowly, leaving you feeling hotter—even if the thermostat says otherwise.

In summer, setting your thermostat too high when the air is humid can make your home feel uncomfortable. That’s because your AC not only cools but also removes moisture. When the thermostat is set above 74°F on a humid day, indoor humidity can rise, making your home feel hotter than the actual temperature due to a higher heat index.

High indoor humidity also forces your AC to use more energy and operate less efficiently. To avoid this, keep windows closed on humid nights—open windows let in excess moisture, which can get trapped in walls, floors, and carpets, raising humidity and making your system work overtime.

If you’re concerned about high energy costs, Air Max HVAC can help by performing a home energy audit so you find ways to boost your home’s energy efficiency and lower your utility bills. As a full-service HVAC contractor, we’re also ready to take care of all of your heating and air conditioning needs. We specialize in heating and AC installation, repairs and HVAC maintenance, and our technicians work on all makes and models of central air conditioners, furnaces, heat pumps and ductless mini-splits. We also install smart thermostats, which can make controlling your HVAC system easier and more convenient and also help you save even more on your cooling and heating bills. For more information on our range of HVAC services or to schedule an appointment for any heating or cooling service in the Burbank area, contact us today.