The most comfortable thermostat setting largely depends on personal preference, but the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) advises specific baselines for ideal balance between comfort and energy efficiency:
Whether 75 degrees is a "good" temperature depends on your personal comfort, as it is on the warmer side for winter. While it will keep you cozy, it will also lead to higher energy bills and can put extra strain on your heating system.
Yes, 65°F is a great winter temperature for saving energy and staying comfortable at night, but it may feel a bit chilly during the day. The ideal setting depends on your activity level, who lives in your home, and your budget.
You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home.
The Short Answer Is: Yes! Lowering a thermostat by one degree can save you money on your heating or cooling bills. The exact savings depend on factors like climate, insulation, and the efficiency of your HVAC system, but it's estimated to reduce energy costs by around 1-3% per degree for each 8-hour period.
How cool should my house be if it's 100 outside? Your AC can typically cool about 20°F below the outdoor temperature, so if it's 100°F outside, maintaining 78–80°F indoors is reasonable.
Many Amish homes are built with plenty of windows to help circulate the air and bring in the cooler overnight temperatures. They open the windows on the top floors to help the heat escape while the family retreats to the lower grounds within their homes for comfort.
No, 68°F is not generally considered cold for a house in winter. In fact, experts at the U.S. Department of Energy recommend 68°F as the ideal, energy-efficient temperature for the winter months while you are awake.
It takes time for your home to warm up and cool down. If you're not sure how long it takes, try turning the heating on about 30 minutes before you need it. You should turn it off 30 minutes before you'll stop needing it.
Most people set their thermostat to 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power F𝟔𝟖∘𝐅 when they are awake and at home. Experts like the Department of Energy recommend setting it between 68∘F68 raised to the composed with power F68∘F and 70∘F70 raised to the composed with power F70∘F during the day, and lowering it by 7∘F7 raised to the composed with power F7∘F to 10∘F10 raised to the composed with power F10∘F while sleeping or away to maximize energy savings.
Amish communities stay warm in winter by relying on energy independence and time-tested design rather than standard electrical grids. Their approach combines architectural strategies, non-electric heating fuels, and heavy winter clothing to comfortably endure freezing temperatures.
Never set your thermostat below 55°F (𝟏𝟑°𝑪) in winter. Anything lower puts your plumbing at risk of freezing and bursting. For health and daily comfort, the World Health Organization recommends maintaining a minimum indoor temperature of 64°F (𝟏𝟖°𝑪) to 68°F (𝟐𝟎°𝑪).
While it may be tempting to save a few bucks on your heating bill at times, a cold snap is not the time to set back the thermostat if you have pipes that are at risk of freezing. Leave the heat on if you plan to be away during cold weather. Set the thermostat to a temperature no lower than 55° F.
Humidity plays an important role in how warm or cold your home feels. Low humidity levels, common in winter, can make the air feel colder and drier, even when your home is adequately heated. Dry air absorbs moisture from your skin, which increases the sensation of being cold.
It is OK to set your thermostat to 74°F if you're happy with that temperature. However, many people find temperatures between 68°F–72°F more comfortable for everyday living. If efficiency is a concern, you might want to consider lowering the temperature by a few degrees to save energy.
Ideal room temperature for the elderly
The NHS recommends heating your home to at least 18° if you are aged over 65, not very mobile or have a health condition. They also recommend on very cold nights, adding extra layers and keeping your windows and curtains closed for an added layer of insulation.
Heating and cooling (HVAC) systems are the biggest energy consumers in a typical house, accounting for roughly 45−50% of your total electricity usage. Water heaters, refrigerators, and lighting round out the rest of the major draws.
For most customers, we recommend turning on your furnace when the weather is consistently below 18° Celsius, which usually happens to be around the end of September, or early October. Some homeowners try to put off turning on their furnace as long as they can to save money, which is okay if you're healthy adults.
For most homes, the answer is straightforward: no, it's not. The Energy Saving Trust, one of the UK's leading authorities on household energy use, confirms that leaving your heating running on low all day usually ends up costing you more.
Regardless of how long you will be traveling and away from home, keep your thermostat set at 68 degrees Fahrenheit or above. This will help to keep the pipes on the inside of the home from freezing and the ones under the home at a slightly higher temperature as well.
Circulatory problems, diabetes, arthritis and mental health issues can be made worse by living in a cold home. And people with respiratory conditions like asthma are also at risk, particularly if their home is damp and mouldy, which is often the case in under-heated, poorly ventilated homes.
65 Degrees is (Nearly) the Perfect Temp
For most people, 60 is a chilly sweater-friendly temperature, while going over 70 can get a little toasty. The most efficient setting for your thermostat is around 65 degrees in the winter when temperatures outside have dropped to 50 or below.
Many traditional Amish communities consider manufactured toilet paper an unnecessary luxury and use resource-saving alternatives instead. In outhouses, families often repurpose old newspapers, magazine pages, or catalogs (like the Sears and Roebuck catalog). To make the paper soft enough to use, they crumple it vigorously multiple times.
No, most Amish do not shower every day. Hygiene practices vary widely by community. While less conservative sects use indoor plumbing and take frequent showers, traditional and strict communities lack hot running water. For them, daily sponge baths and a weekly, family-wide galvanized tub bath are the norm.
Summary: The Amish typically have their teeth pulled out by unlicensed dentists instead of incurring the high cost of dentistry. They perceive dentures as more cost effective and easier to maintain oral health.