What should I set my heat pump to in winter?

Author: Ms. Marietta Tromp MD  |  Last update: Thursday, July 3, 2025

Ideal Winter Heat Pump Temperature Settings According to the Department of Energy, 68°F is the sweet spot that balances comfort and energy efficiency during the fall and winter months. When your home is occupied and when family members are awake, a heat pump setting of 68°F keeps the living areas reasonably warm.

What is the best setting for a heat pump in winter?

In the winter, it's generally recommended to set your heat pump between 68°F and 72°F (20°C to 22°C) for optimal comfort and energy efficiency. Here are some tips to consider: Comfort Level: Adjust based on your personal comfort. Some people prefer a slightly warmer or cooler setting.

What is the best thermostat setting for winter for a heat pump?

Should it be set between 20 and 22 degrees, According to the Energy Department, 68°F is the adorable spot that balances comfort and energy efficiency during the fall and winter months.

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.

Should I leave my heat pump on all the time in winter?

The answer is leave your heat pump on all the time is common because it helps maintain a stable temperature and can be more efficient overall. Turning it off completely means it has to work harder to reheat the space from scratch, which can use more energy.

What temperature should I set my heat pump in the winter?

Should you turn the heat down at night with a heat pump?

Turning heat pumps down when you're away or asleep may actually use more energy than leaving them on. The reason is that they have to work harder to come back to the desired temperature than they do to maintain it. It's best to set them at a comfortable temperature and forget it.

What is the most efficient schedule for a heat pump?

Heat pumps work most efficiently when maintaining a temperature. Consequently, it is recommended to lower your set point by 3˚ – 5˚ when your system is in the unoccupied or night setting. Most of today's thermostats are programmable and allow you to set a schedule to match your preference.

Why does my house feel cold at 68 degrees?

There may be drafts and pockets of colder air near the floor; The walls are colder and don't emit the usual amount of infrared radiation, so you lose heat due to your body emitting more IR than it receives; You may spend more time indoors and hence have less physical activity, so your body generates less heat.

Is 72 a good temperature for air conditioning at night?

WHAT SHOULD I SET MY AC TO AT NIGHT? According to the Cleveland Clinic, the recommended thermostat setting for nighttime is between 60°F and 67°F. 3 Setting your AC within this range can help maintain a comfortable sleeping environment.

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.

Should I run my heat pump on auto or heat?

It's natural to think "AUTO" mode would be a more efficient setting. But if you use it, your unit runs the risk of toggling unnecessarily between heating and cooling. Your heat pump will run most efficiently when set to "HEAT" in winter and "COOL" in summer.

How do I control my heat pump in the winter?

How to use your Heat Pump efficiently in winter
  1. Only heat what you need. Don't have heat pumps going in bedrooms or in rooms you're not using. ...
  2. Keep it low. ...
  3. Don't run it all-day. ...
  4. Timing is key. ...
  5. Higher fan speed. ...
  6. Direct the flow. ...
  7. Keep up on the maintenance.

What setting should my heating pump be on?

Generally speaking with heat pumps we would aim for a DT of 5-7°c and for gas boilers a DT of 20°c, turn up the pump if the DT is too wide and down if too narrow. Many modulating boilers automatically adjust the pump speed to target dT20, these can be quickly checked, and many have settings for refinement.

Why wont my heat pump keep my house warm?

A problem in the heat pump itself that might be responsible is dirt and grime along either the indoor or outdoor coils, which will restrict heat exchange. Also check the outdoor cabinet to make sure there isn't snow banked up against it, which will make it hard for the heat pump to draw sufficient outdoor air.

At what temperature does a heat pump go to auxiliary heat?

Your auxiliary heat, or secondary heat source, should come on when your heat pump is struggling to heat your home effectively. The thermostat will trigger auxiliary heat when: The outside temperature is below 40 degrees or a set aux heat trigger temperature. The heat pump is in defrost mode.

Should you use heat pump in extreme cold?

But that's old news. When properly installed, today's air-source heat pumps (simply “heat pumps,” for the rest of this article) can keep your home warm even amid bone-chilling cold, using far less energy than other types of heating systems. Many homeowners will save money with a heat pump too.

Is 72 a good temperature for heat in the winter?

While there are occupants in the house, it is advised for homeowners to set their thermostats between 68 and 72 degrees to promote maximum comfort. A pleasant temperature for everyone in the house, regardless of the apparel they are wearing, is between 68 and 72 degrees, which is neither too warm nor too cool.

How cool should my house be if it's 110 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 should I set my thermostat to in winter?

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.

What's the coldest you should let your house get?

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 does my house still 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.

Why am I hot but my house is cold?

Rooms Are Cold Even With Heating On

This problem often points to inadequate circulation of warm air. It could be due to blocked vents, a failing HVAC fan, or issues with the furnace itself. Ensure that furniture or drapes are not blocking your vents.

What is the best heat pump setting for winter?

For winter heating, aim for the lowest comfortable setting, around 68-70°F when occupied. Recommended configuration includes: Set the system to “heat” or “auto” and increase the temperature to 68-70°F during occupied hours. Program the thermostat to lower temperatures to around 62-65°F when away or asleep.

Is it better to keep a heat pump at a constant temperature?

A heat pump works by taking the heat from the air outside your home and moving it indoors. They're most efficient when they're set at a consistent temperature, that's why we recommend to “set it and forget it”. The heat pump will work to maintain the ideal temperature by cycling on-and-off as needed.

What is the best temperature to set a heat pump?

Know your temperatures

There is a middle point that'll help you with both. Set your heat pump temperature to 18 degrees or above to help fight damp and mould, but below 21 degrees to save on power. The higher the temperature, the more energy the heat pump will use, so anywhere between 18 and 21 is the sweet spot.

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