3 Settings to Change on Your Thermostat This Winter to Save Money
Nothing can drain your bank account faster than winter heating bills. In California, even our mild winters can lead to surprisingly high energy costs. But you can reduce those costs without sacrificing comfort — only if you stick to the best thermostat settings for winter. And what are those settings? Find out below.
Set Your Thermostat to 68°F During Daytime
The ideal house temperature for winter is 68°F when you’re home and awake. It is the sweet spot recommended by energy experts.
Many people keep their homes at 72°F or higher. True, it may feel warm and nice. But before you know it, you’re overpaying by a bunch for every degree above 68°F.
Every degree above that costs you about 3% more on your heating bills. And let’s be real – you could be saving up to 12% of your heating expenses just by bringing that thermostat down from 72°F to a perfectly reasonable 68°F.
68°F, though, is a bit of a jump for some. Not quite sure you can handle it right off the bat?
Well, here’s a gentle approach: try lowering your thermostat by one degree every week. The idea is to give your body some time to get sort of used to it. Once you do get used to it, the difference won’t even be noticeable.
Pro tip for Dixon, CA residents: With our mild winters, 68° is plenty warm during the day. Put on a sweater, and you won’t even need to touch or adjust the thermostat.
Drop to 60–62°F While You Sleep
That is where major savings happen. The recommended thermostat setting for sleeping is between 60–62°F.
Sleep science backs this up. The body temperature drops naturally by a degree or two when we fall asleep. The cooler the room is, the better your sleep quality will be.
According to C Level & Clinic studies, the ideal bedroom temperature for sleep is between 60–67°F, with 65°F being optimal for most people.
From an energy perspective, lowering your thermostat by 7–10 degrees for 8 hours each night can save you up to 10% on heating costs annually. On a $200 monthly bill, that’s another $20 in savings.
Some people worry they’ll freeze. They won’t. At 60°F with proper bedding, you’ll be perfectly comfortable. Give it three nights. Your body will adjust, and you’ll likely sleep better than you did in a warmer room.
Set It to 55°F When You’re Away or on Vacation
Leaving home for the holidays? Or going away for a long weekend? The best heater setting for vacation is 55°F.
Don’t ever turn off your heat entirely when it is winter. That is the most important thing by far. Temperatures set below 55°F are capable of freezing pipes.
It is quite common for cold air to come from non-insulated areas such as crawl spaces or attics. The cost of a pipe explosion can be counted in thousands for both repair and wasted water. Definitely not worth the risk.
At 55°F, your home stays warm enough to protect your plumbing while using minimal energy. Your heater will only kick on occasionally to maintain that baseline temperature.
In the case of a short absence during a working day, it is better to lower the temperature by 7–10 degrees. That is, if your usual temperature is 68°F, then while you are at work, the house should be at 58–60°F.
That simple step helps lower heating bills in Dixon CA, and can trim about 10% off your yearly heating costs.
Winter Thermostat Schedule to Save Money on Heating Bill
Here’s a practical schedule that maximizes comfort and savings:
| Time Period | Temperature Setting | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Morning (6 AM – 8 AM) | 68°F | Comfortable waking hours |
| Workday (8 AM – 5 PM) | 60°F | Energy savings while away |
| Evening (5 PM – 10 PM) | 68°F | Active household hours |
| Sleeping (10 PM – 6 AM) | 60-62°F | Optimal sleep temperature |
| Vacation/Extended Absence | 55°F | Pipe protection, minimal energy use |
| Weekend/Home All Day | 68°F | Standard comfortable temperature |
This schedule can save you 15–20% on heating costs compared to keeping your home at a constant 72°F.
Is 68°F Good for Families with Kids or Elderly Members?
Usually, kids and seniors are more sensitive to even minute changes in temperature. They might consider the slight “change in temperature” to be cold, while others might not feel any change at all. So, if you have elderly folks or kids at home, it’s worth keeping their comfort in mind when deciding on the ideal house temperature winter.
Most families find that 68°F works well when everyone dresses in light layers. However, if someone in the household is feeling a bit chilly compared to the rest of the household, you can keep their room temperature higher rather than cranking the heat up for the whole house.
Keeping shared areas at 68°F and adjusting only bedrooms or sitting areas for those who need extra warmth gives you a balanced setup. This approach keeps your home comfortable for all ages while still following the best thermostat settings for winter. It also keeps your energy use steady, which leads to real savings as the season goes on.
Specific Tips for Dixon CA, and PG&E Customers
Dixon’s winter range sits around 38°F to 55°F, so the cold isn’t extreme. That lighter weather makes these settings work even better. The following PG&E winter heating tips help you stay warm without pushing your bill higher than needed.
PG&E offers several programs to help lower your heating bill:
- Time-of-Use rates: Shift energy use to off-peak hours when rates are lower. Run your heater more in the morning and evening rather than the afternoon peak hours.
- Energy Savings Assistance Program: If you qualify based on income, PG&E provides free weatherization and HVAC tune-ups.
- Medical Baseline Program: If someone in your home has medical needs requiring extra heating, you get additional energy at lower rates.
Check pge.com for current winter heating tips specific to Northern California. They regularly update their recommendations and rebates.
The Bottom Line
Simple thermostat changes make a noticeable difference during winter. A small temperature adjustment can reduce usage while keeping your home comfortable.
To recap:
- Daytime setting: 66–68°F
- Nighttime setting: 60–67°F
- Vacation/away setting: 55–62°F
The best part? You’ll probably sleep better and feel more energized, too. Cooler temperatures improve sleep quality and make you more alert during the day.
Make these changes today. Your next heating bill will show the difference.