Energy.gov suggests that 68 degrees is a good room temperature while you're awake at home but recommends lowering it while you're asleep or away. Lowering your thermostat 7-10 degrees for eight hours a day can reduce your annual heating expenses by as much as 10 percent.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends setting your thermostat to 66--72° F for a good night's sleep.
The sleeping temperature recommended by every study is different, but most studies recommend setting your thermostat to about 65ºF (18.5ºC) overnight.
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.
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.
Specifically, the department recommends that people set their thermostats back 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit from their usual settings for eight hours a day.
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.
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.
For most people, 75 degrees is too hot to sleep, per the National Sleep Foundation. But the new study found that in people 65 and up, sleep efficiency only started to decrease when temperatures were above 77 degrees.
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.
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.
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.
The World Health Organization recommends a thermostat setting no lower than 68 degrees while you're home. If you have children or seniors in your house, that number increases to at least 70 degrees. If your house is too cold, it can cause problems with blood pressure and circulation, as well as affect your heart rate.
Setting the thermostat to around 18°C is ideal for a restful night's sleep, as this prevents overheating under the covers.
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 Low is Too Low to Set My Thermostat? If you're going to be leaving your home or traveling for the winter, it's best to keep your thermostat set no lower than 55 degrees. If you don't, you could risk having your pipes freeze over.
Sleeping too hot
“Heat is a huge disruptor for REM sleep,” Dr. Drerup says. With the heat of the room, your body temperature will also rise, thus undoing the sleep initiation process entirely. If your bedroom temperature is above 70° F, it's too hot.
However, this may differ between individuals, who might find their ideal AC temperature lies between 60 and 67°F (15.6 and 19.4°C). A cool room helps people get quality sleep, in part due to its effect on circadian rhythms, which control bodily processes, such as core body temperature and the sleep-wake cycle.
The community-owned electric utility advises customers to set their thermostats to at least 78 degrees during the summer and 68 degrees during the winter. “You'll save around 5% to 10% on cooling costs for every two degrees you raise the temperature,” SMUD wrote on its site. Pacific Gas and Electric has similar advice.
The key lies in the energy-saving practice of lowering the thermostat by around 10-12 degrees Fahrenheit (or 6-8 degrees Celsius) during nighttime or when the house is vacant.
The best room temperature for sleep is between 66 to 72°F. Your skin should ideally be between 88 to 95°F during sleep. The temperature under your bed covers should be around 90 to 93°F with 40% to 60% humidity.
Turn Down the Heat 7-10 Degrees Instead
Setting the thermometer eight degrees lower before you turn in at night may save you as much as $180 per year on your utility bill.
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.
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.
It's More Advisable to Turn the Heat Down, Not Off
HVAC replacement companies recommend turning the temperature down by at least eight degrees before you go to sleep for eight hours or more, depending on how long you sleep at night.