How low should you turn your heat down at night?

Author: Antonietta Jaskolski  |  Last update: Thursday, January 15, 2026

A better idea: Turn the heat down, not off Here's the secret: Set the temperature of your home at least eight degrees lower for the eight hours or so that you sleep at night. Every degree you lower the thermostat can net you an estimated 1% off your heating bill.

How low should I set my heat at night?

According to most studies, the best temperature for getting a good night's rest is around 65° or somewhere between 60° and 68°.

How much to turn down heat at night?

Specifically, the department recommends that people set their thermostats back 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit from their usual settings for eight hours a day.

What temperature should I leave my heating on overnight?

Your thermostat should be set to around 18-21°C, which is the lowest comfortable temperature that is economical too. Not only will this lower your heating bills, it will help to lower your carbon footprint and reduce your households' environmental impact.

Is it worth turning down the heat at night?

Yes, turning down your heat at night can significantly help reduce your heating bill. Here's how it works: Energy Savings: Lowering your thermostat by just a few degrees (typically 5-10°F) during the night can lead to substantial savings.

Energy Myths - Should you turn the thermostat down at night?

Is it better to leave heating on low at night?

There have been many reports from doctors that sleeping with the heating on all night can cause your body to overheat much more quickly. The Sleep Charity advises that an ideal bedroom temperature is 16-18 degrees celsius. Temperatures over 24 degrees celsius can impact your sleep and cause restlessness.

What is the cheapest temperature to keep your house in winter?

To save money, aim to have your temperature set around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit when you're at home and awake. This is a comfortable temperature for most with the help of a light sweater. Overnight and when you're out, around 64 degrees Fahrenheit will keep your home at a good temperature.

How cold should I let my house get at night?

The best winter thermostat setting is 62 to 68 degrees. On winter days, program your home's thermostat to 68 degrees for a comfortable indoor temperature while you're home and awake. When sleeping, program your thermostat to 62 degrees. Consider rolling this temperature back to 55 degrees when no one is home.

Is it cheaper to have heating on low constantly?

According to the experts at the Energy Saving Trust, the idea that you can save money by keeping your central heating permanently on low is a myth. This is mainly because of problems with home insulation. If your house is old or draughty, for example, heat will be leaking out through windows and doors.

What should I set my thermostat to overnight?

Lowering the thermostat by 2-5°C from your daytime setting is a good rule of thumb. For example, if your daytime setting is 21°C, set it to 15°C-18°C at night for comfort and savings.

Is it good to lower your thermostat at night?

The Bottom Line

Turning down your thermostat at night or while you're away is a proven way to save money on your heating bills. By reducing your home's rate of heat loss and running your furnace less often, thermostat setbacks are an easy and effective energy-saving strategy.

What temperature should I set my heat when sleeping?

The best room temperature for sleep is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.3 degrees Celsius). This may vary by a few degrees from person to person, but most doctors recommend keeping the thermostat set between 65 to 68 degrees Fahrenheit (15.6 to 20 degrees Celsius) for the most comfortable sleep.

How low can I turn my heat down?

Our recommendation: When you head to work or vacation and want to lower your temperature setting, we would not recommend going below 50 degrees F. This strikes a good balance between conserving energy while preventing problems such as: Frozen indoor pipes.

Is 65 too cold for a house?

The World Health Organization recommends keeping indoor temperatures between 64 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for healthy people. The minimum temperature should be kept above 68 degrees Fahrenheit to protect the very young, the elderly, or people with health problems. Watch out for signs of hypothermia.

What is the lowest safe heat setting?

For short periods of time away, like going to work, we'd recommend a temperature of around 55 – 60 degrees (F). While away on long periods of time, such as vacation, we don't recommend setting the temperature any lower than 50 degrees (F).

Should my heat run all night?

It isn't bad to run your heating system on a 24/7 basis if outdoor weather conditions demand indoor warmth. For many households, maintaining a constant indoor temperature is the only way to survive the winter. Just be aware that this is likely to cause additional wear and tear on your heating system.

How can I keep my heat bill low?

No Cost Ways to Save
  1. Turn down your thermostat to 68 degrees. ...
  2. Replace or clean furnace filters once a month. ...
  3. Reduce hot water temperature. ...
  4. Use cold water when washing clothes. ...
  5. Take a five-minute shower instead of a bath. ...
  6. Let the sun in. ...
  7. Remove window air conditioning units for the winter. ...
  8. Close your flue.

Is it better to keep bedroom doors open or closed in winter?

Yes, open doors are generally better in winter to maintain a consistent temperature. They allow your heating system to distribute warm air evenly across rooms, improving comfort and efficiency while preventing energy waste.

Does turning off heat at night save money?

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, homeowners can save on utility bills by turning down their thermostats before they go to sleep and during the daytime hours when/if no one is home. You can save an average of 1% on energy costs for every degree reduced on your thermostat.

Why does my house feel cold at 73?

If you're cold even though your thermostat indicates you shouldn't be, your furnace likely isn't the problem. In most cases, it's working just fine. It's your home that needs attention. Lack of insulation, severe air leakage, and/or unbalanced ductwork are frequently to blame.

How low should I set the heat at night?

The U.S. Department of Energy says an indoor temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night is best.

What is the lowest you should have your heating on?

You should set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature for your needs. For most people, this is between 18°C and 21°C.

What is the coldest you should allow your house to get?

In general, it's recommended to set your thermostat to 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. This may seem high compared to the freezing point of 32 degrees Fahrenheit, but it'll help keep the interior of the floor and wall cavities – where your plumbing is often located – safely above freezing temperatures.

Is 72 too high for a thermostat in winter?

68 to 72 degrees is a temperature range that is not too warm or cool, and is sufficient enough to warm up the home just enough so that everyone is comfortable regardless of the type of clothing they have on.

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