What is the lowest recommended thermostat setting?

Author: Toy Jenkins  |  Last update: Tuesday, March 17, 2026

55 degrees F is the lowest setting to use. Even, at that temperature, it is remotely possible, some pipes could freeze and break, causing flooding in your home. I personally, would set it to 60 degrees F, especially if the temperature outside is below 10 degrees F.

What is the lowest I should set my thermostat?

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. Damage from condensation on furnishings and electronics.

What is the coldest you should set your thermostat to?

Don't set your thermostat too low

“You have to keep it really low to really get into a health concern," he said. "What you want to do is keep it at a reasonable temperature that's not chilly.” The World Health Organization recommends keeping indoor temperatures between 64 and 75 degrees for healthy people.

What is the lowest temperature house before pipes freeze?

We all know that freezing begins at 32° F or 0° C, but at what point do pipes freeze within our own homes? Temperatures only need to drop to about 20° F for a few hours to put exposed pipes at risk. So, your best bet is to insulate your exposed pipes to keep that temperature well above the freezing point.

What's the lowest temperature you should keep your house at?

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends setting your thermostat no lower than 64 degrees (F) in the Winter months while people are in the home. If there are infants or elderly individuals, they recommend keeping the temperature at 70 degrees at a minimum.

Why is my thermostat reading lower than setting?

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.

Is it bad to set your thermostat too low?

Even in normal circumstances, turning a thermostat down too low is not a good idea: the compressor will run longer without improved cooling. Trying to utilise this to compensate for an air conditioner can no longer chill the house as effectively as it should be, putting more load on an already faulty system.

What temperature should I set my thermostat to prevent pipes from freezing?

Keep the thermostat at a minimum of 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Make sure pipes are properly insulated. Keep water slowly flowing on outer wall faucets. Cover outside faucets.

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.

Will pipes freeze if house is 70 degrees?

When temperatures approach zero, wind can penetrate through a small opening and can freeze nearby pipes, even thought the room temperature is 70 degrees! Insulate pipes in unheated garages and crawl spaces.

Is it cheaper to leave your thermostat at one temperature?

Keeping your home at a constant temperature generally means that your HVAC system will run constantly to meet it. This means that your furnace or air conditioner may run when you're asleep, at work, or out of the house. This wastes more energy than the minimal amount that you might save by having it constantly run.

What is the lowest you should set your AC?

In short, the 20-degree rule of air conditioning states that you should always keep your AC unit at no more than 20 degrees lower than the outside temperature. It means that, if the outdoor conditions are at 95 degrees, you should set your thermostat at no less than 75 degrees.

Is it better to run a colder thermostat?

Optimum fuel burn occurs at higher temperatures. Lower temps can cause some fuel not to burn all the way. This will reduce power and fuel economy.

What should I set my thermostat on in extreme cold?

During the frigid cold temperatures, set your thermostat on a permanent HOLD around 70 degrees until the weather warms back up to normal temperatures for this season. When temperatures drop below zero or even below freezing for extended periods of time, sometimes your furnace can't keep up.

What is the code for low thermostat?

Error code P0128 indicates that your engine coolant temperature is below the thermostat regulating temperature. This means that your Engine Control Module (ECM) or Powertrain Control Module (PCM) has recognized that your engine is running cooler than it's supposed to.

What temperature should your house be overnight?

To create that sleep-worthy environment, bedroom temperature should be kept at a consistent 17 degrees Celsius during the night, or at a minimum a few degrees colder than in the daytime.

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.

Does turning the thermostat down really save?

Thermostat Operation

You can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting. The percentage of savings from setback is greater for buildings in milder climates than for those in more severe climates.

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.

Will my pipes freeze if my heat is on 65?

Don't turn your thermostat down below 65 degrees during extreme cold. Further drops in temperature could be enough to cause a problem, especially inside walls where pipes are located. Your heating bill may go up a little, but that's better than an expensive repair job if a pipe freezes and bursts.

What is the lowest you can set your thermostat?

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.

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.

How cool should my house be if it's 100 outside?

For many of us, 70 degrees is the ideal indoor temperature, but when it is close to 100 degrees outside, your AC unit will be working quite hard to meet these expectations. Consider setting your thermostat at 75 degrees to 80 degrees in your home if the outside temperature is approaching triple digits.

Is 62 too low for a thermostat in winter?

General recommendations for winter thermostat settings: If someone is at home in the daytime, 72° F (22° C) is a good start, but aim for 68° F (20° C). If everyone is away from home in the daytime or you're asleep at night, we feel 66° F (19° C) to 62° F (17° C) is best.

Is 68 too cold for a house?

Quick answer: The ideal house temperature is room temperature, which ranges from 68 to 78 degrees F, though this may vary from season to season.

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