Is It Cheaper to Lower Your Thermostat at Night? | Winter Heating Tips

It’s one of the most common winter questions homeowners ask: Should I keep my thermostat at one steady temperature, or turn it down at night to save money? The answer is refreshingly straightforward—turning it down usually saves energy and money, even in the dead of winter.

The Smart Way to Set Your Thermostat in Winter

Your furnace works hardest when it’s trying to maintain a higher indoor temperature while it’s cold outside. When you lower the thermostat—even for a few hours—your system doesn’t have to work as hard, which means less energy use overall.

A common myth is that your furnace has to “work overtime” to reheat the house in the morning. In reality, modern systems are designed to handle that recovery efficiently.

Here’s what most homeowners should aim for:

• Lower the thermostat 7–10 degrees at night (or when no one’s home)
  
• Use a programmable or smart thermostat to avoid forgetting
  
• Keep daytime comfort reasonable, not tropical
  
• Avoid extreme swings that can impact comfort or older systems
  

Every home is different. Older homes, heat pumps, or systems already under strain may benefit from more modest adjustments. But in most cases, turning the heat down at night is a smart way to save money and prevent wear and tear on your system.

At Reliant Home Heating and Cooling, we help homeowners fine-tune their thermostat strategy – and so much more! – so your home is comfortable and efficient. And one of the best ways to keep that furnace running smoothly? The Reliant Comfort Club.

Tuneups 2x a year. Lower costs on repairs. Priority services like “Skip the Call Line.”
All that – and more – just $25 a month.