What Temperature Should a Thermostat Be Set?

The reason you are looking for the ideal thermostat setting for your home has something to do with these two words; comfort and convenience.

Of course, besides these two, chances are, you are looking for the ideal settings that will strike down your energy bills.

The truth of the matter is, there is no specific temperature for an indoor environment, given the disparity in personal preferences and variance of external temperatures from place to place.

No need to worry though, by the end of this guide, you will have known the recommended UK thermostat temperature settings for your home, whether it is winter, summer, or even when you are away on holiday.

Strap yourself, and let’s dive in.

What Temperature Should You Set Your Thermostat During Winter?

Winter will see you running your heating system several hours a day. If we’re to be honest, you might even be tempted to leave it running throughout. Well, that will be financial suicide as far as the energy bill is concerned.

During this period, you should set your thermostat at a temperature that will bring comfort while saving on energy. Identifying this ideal balance requires you to consider two factors. The surrounding temperature, and whether or not you will be home during this period.

Luckily for you, this is not a trial-and-error venture as some conventional winter thermostat temperature settings have been established.

For instance, if you wish to step out for a few hours on a winter day, it is recommended that you set your thermostat at a temperature of 66 degrees Fahrenheit (19 degrees Celsius).

On the other hand, if you wish to spend the day indoors, 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) has been established to be ideal for everyone’s warmth while saving energy costs.

If you don’t mind a colder room, you may consider lowering your thermostat setting to about 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 degrees Celsius). Although it may seem too huge of a compromise, this action will save you about 5-10% of your annual electricity bill.

For better rest and sound sleep, set your thermostat temperature at about 60 to 63 degrees Fahrenheit (16 to 17 degrees Celsius) at night.

What Temperature Should You Set Your Thermostat During Summer?

During warm weather, the general concern leans more towards cooling the house rather than heating it.

It is considered a healthy practice to set your thermostat settings as high as possible during summer. By increasing the temperatures, your cooling system will not come on until the air temperature in your house reaches the specified levels, which will prevent unnecessary cooling costs.

If you plan to stay indoors during the day, it is recommended that you set the thermostat of your cooling system at 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25.5 degrees Celsius)

On the other hand, if you intend to go out for four or more hours, consider raising the settings of the cooling system to about 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius).

However, if you are leaving for a short while, the best temperature to set your thermostat is a value close to the outside temperatures. Setting such a temperature will ensure that you do not come back to an aggressively hot home while at the same time ensuring you are not cooling an empty room.

What Temperature Should You Set Your Thermostat When You Are on Holiday?

Given the thrill of an extended holiday, thermostat settings are probably the last thing in your mind. In a bid to save on costs, many would consider turning off their heating and cooling systems when going on holiday. This, however, is a bad idea as it has some serious ramifications.

Of course, we are not championing a thrifty lifestyle where you leave the heating and cooling system in full throttle. It would be best to unplug unnecessary devices such as your computer and television to avoid excessive energy consumption. But keep the air conditioner up and running.

If you are going for a summer vacation, set your temperatures high to not cool your house unnecessarily. Given that the outside temperatures will be hitting the 90s, ensure you set your thermostat at a temperature no higher than 84 degrees Fahrenheit (28.8 degrees Celsius).

If it is during winter, opt for low-temperature settings so that heat does not come yet, no one is home. The advisable thermostat setting for a winter vacation is around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).

By sticking to these recommended figures, you can enjoy your holiday wherever you are, knowing that your home remains in perfect condition.

How Should You Adjust the Thermostat Settings for Different Home Temperature Zones?

If you have a multi-zoned heating or cooling system, you are probably wondering which temperature settings to use for the different zones and rooms in your home.

The good news is since each area or room is equipped with its thermostat for regulating temperatures, all you need are the recommended values.

Here are the recommended settings for different rooms that will bring comfort and energy consumption savings.

• Lower bedroom temperatures to about 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius).
• Maintain temperatures in the living room at about 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius).
• Increase the thermostat temperature downstairs and in the basement to prevent dampness and subsequent formation of mould and mildew.
• Lower temperatures for zones with direct sunlight.
• Lower temperature for rooms that are rarely used to save on energy cost.

Why Should You Use a Programmable Thermostat?

As much as we all like to refine our thermostat settings to bring the most comfortable and economical heating for our homes, we don’t fancy spending all day adjusting the thermostat.

A programmable thermostat will help you run a scheduled heating and cooling program without having to hover around the thermostat, thereby saving money and time.

Even more interesting is that you can programme it to change the temperature in your home up to six times a day. If, for some reason, you don’t want a programmed temperature setting in the room. In that case, you can always choose to override it to achieve your desired specification without interfering with the normal program.

Lastly, with a programmable thermostat, you can control the temperature in your home, regardless of whether you are at home or not. When leaving your house, you need not worry about the AC running the whole day as it will automatically power off following the programmed schedule.

Here are a few useful tips if you have a programmable thermostat:

• Install your thermostat away from the heating and cooling system, lighting appliances, doorways, fireplace, windows, or areas that receive direct sunlight. For prolonged maximum efficiency, consider installing it on an interior wall.
• During the day and bedtime, you should set the thermostat at energy-saving temperatures to cut on electricity bills.
• If the thermostat uses batteries, make sure to change the batteries regularly for optimal performance.

What Is the Best Thermostat Setting for Your Comfort?

As earlier stated, preferred room temperatures and energy budgets vary from one home to another. Therefore, before choosing an ideal temperature for your heating and cooling systems, consider what will make you comfortable while minimising energy costs. It is possible to find the perfect balance of comfortability and affordability using your thermostat.

Tips for Saving on Cost

1. Only turn on the heating or cooling system when necessary to save on energy consumption.
2. Schedule annual furnace maintenance and inspection to ensure optimal performance.
3. Close doors and vents to unused rooms and ensure the heating system only administers heat to the rooms being used.
4. Seal cracks around windows and doors prevent unnecessary heat loss that would overwork the heating system to cater to lost heat.
5. Dress warmly even in the house. Warm clothes will help you and your family become less reliant on the heating system.