Thermostat energy savings depend on when you need heating and cooling, the weather, and how your equipment operates. A schedule that fits your household is a practical place to start.
Build the schedule around your day
Set a comfortable temperature when people are home. Then consider a modest change during longer periods away or while asleep, where comfortable and safe. Check the time and settings so the schedule follows your actual routine.
Check whether you have a heat pump
Deep heating setbacks may bring on electric resistance backup when some heat pumps recover. Read the equipment guidance or ask your HVAC technician how the thermostat handles recovery and whether it is compatible with your system.
Review comfort and usage together
If a room stays uncomfortable, check vents, filters, shading and drafts before repeatedly changing the thermostat. Compare energy usage during similar weather and keep the settings that work for the people living there.
Track thermostat energy savings and comfort
Start by writing down when the first person gets up, when the house empties, and when people usually return. Make a separate schedule for days when someone works from home. Use the equipment instructions to check how the thermostat returns to its occupied setting. Ask the people who use each room what they notice.
Adjust one part of the schedule at a time
Change one period and give it several similar days before adjusting another. A room that feels uncomfortable every afternoon may need shade, a clear vent, or a look at drafts. Note the outdoor weather when comparing bills. If you call a technician, share the settings and times when the problem occurs.
For more detail, see the U.S. Department of Energy’s energy-saving guidance. Also see Energy Conservation Tips for another part of this series.