What is the lowest you should set your thermostat?

Author: Precious Bernier MD  |  Last update: Saturday, March 1, 2025

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.

What is the lowest temperature your house should be?

Recommended Temperature When the Home is Vacant

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).

How low can you set your thermostat before pipes freeze?

Set the thermostat to a temperature no lower than 55° F. Insulate pipes. Pipe insulation can cost pennies per linear foot at your local hardware store or home center.

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.

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 temperature you should set your thermostat?

What temperature should I keep my house in extreme cold?

Keeping your home warm in the winter is essential for one's comfort and also to keep pipes from freezing. However, you should be mindful of energy consumption as well. According to the Department of Energy, the optimal temperature setting for homes during freezing weather is 68 °F.

Is 65 too cold to sleep in?

The ideal temperature for sleep is between 65-68°F. Thermoregulation during sleep is a crucial factor to sleep quality. Your body's temperature naturally drops as you sleep so a cooler room makes it easier to fall and stay asleep.

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.

What is the best temperature for sleep?

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.

Can you 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.

Will pipes freeze at 65 degrees?

What Temperature Will Cause My Pipes to Freeze? Pipes run the risk of freezing at temperatures below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, especially if they're not insulated, but most insulated pipes start to freeze at 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

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.

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.

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.

What temperature so pipes don't freeze?

But while a lower temperature may reduce your heating bill, it could mean disaster if a cold temperatures hit, and your pipes freeze and burst. This doesn't mean you have to keep your house as warm as normal — any temperature 55 degrees or higher is appropriate to keep your pipes safe.

What is the cheapest temperature setting for 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.

What is an unsafe temperature to sleep in?

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.

Is it better to sleep with socks on or off?

Wearing socks to bed may help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, so it could become an important part of your sleep hygiene routine. Sleep hygiene refers to the habits, behaviors, and environmental factors present during our bedtime routine.

Is it healthy to sleep naked?

Some research suggests that sleeping naked can promote better sleep, leading to various mental and physical health benefits. By encouraging core body temperature regulation, naked sleeping may help support reproductive function, skin health, cortisol levels, metabolic control, and more.

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.

What is the lowest temperature you can set air conditioning?

So, how cold can my air con go? Most air conditioning units are designed to go as low as 17°C, but do note that air conditioners are designed to achieve an inside temperature that is up to 11°C lower than the outside temperature.

Is 68 too low for AC?

During a heatwave, we recommend that you don't lower the AC's setting below 68°F. This is already quite chilly for most people, and many would consider it too cold. An air conditioner set this low risk of its coil freezing—and that's bad news because it indicates that the air conditioner is overworked.

What temperature to set thermostat at night?

The U.S. Department of Energy says an indoor temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night is best. Setting your thermostat to a lower temperature at night may actually help you sleep better. Medical experts know that our body temperature drops at night.

What temperature is too cold for a house?

When deciding what temperature to set your thermostat to, avoid going below 63 degrees. Temperatures below 63 degrees Fahrenheit can cause mold and mildew growth or increase allergens.

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