What’s the best thermostat setting to stay warm, save money in California? We asked experts
How active has your heater been lately?
Over weeks of chilly temperatures and heavy rains, California residents have been turning up their thermostats to stay warm.
Recent cold snaps have resurfaced this time-honored question: Does setting your thermostat to a certain degree actually save on energy costs?
The Sacramento Bee contacted Luke Warren, a technician with Sacramento heating and cooling company Ellis Heating and Air, to find out how to keep your home warm and toasty without increasing your energy bill.
What’s the best temperature for heating your home in California?
Setting your thermostat to 68 degrees during the winter months is a good rule of thumb, Warren told The Bee via phone.
Keeping the temperature inside your home between 68 and 70 degrees reduces the risk of overworking your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, he said, and keeps costs down.
“You want to set your thermostat to the lowest temperature you can be comfortable with,” said Warren, who sets his home thermostat to 70 degrees in the winter. “It makes a huge difference in costs — setting it at 68 as opposed to 74 degrees.”
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District also recommends its customers set their thermostats to 68 degrees during the winter.
You should let the temperature drop below the range of 68 to 70 degrees while sleeping or away from home, the U.S. Department of Energy said on its website.
Does setting my thermostat at 68 degrees really save money?
In a word, yes.
“For every degree you lower your thermostat during the winter, you can save 1% annually on your bill,” Pacific Gas and Electric explained on its website
People can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling costs by being strategic with their thermostats, the U.S. Department of Energy said.
“Using a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the times you turn on the heating or air conditioning according to a pre-set schedule,” the federal agency said.
“The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall ... bill will be,” the U.S. Energy Department said.
How can I conserve energy and keep electricity bills low?
Here are some energy-saving tips provided by SMUD to help you stay warm and keep money in your pocket:
- Clean your HVAC filters once a month during the coldest and warmest months.
- Do not block air vents.
- Replace old caulking and seal air leaks with weatherstripping around windows and doors.
- Change out air handler filters regularly.
- Replace damaged insulation and regularly check equipment.
This story was originally published February 16, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "What’s the best thermostat setting to stay warm, save money in California? We asked experts."
