It's winter! And that means cold temperatures and high heating costs. If you're looking to reduce your energy bills this season without sacrificing comfort, this guide is for you. We’ll discuss how to make sure your Albuquerque home stays warm without costing you an arm and a leg. With these ideas, it'll be easy to keep cozy all winter long!

Let’s review what temperature to set your thermostat in winter:

While you’re home during the day.
While sleeping at night.
While you’re away.
We’ll also go over how installing a smart thermostat can keep heating bills low, as well as a few of our favorite energy-saving tips for cold weather.

Our Recommendations for Winter Thermostat Settings
You might be thinking if 70 is a good temperature for the winter. It can be, but it also varies based on your comfort level and your goals for energy efficiency. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), setting your thermostat at 68 is the best way to keep heating costs under control.

What Temperature to Set Your Thermostat in Winter During the Day
While Home
The DOE recommends 68 degrees during the day. If you’re feeling too chilly, there are a couple of other ways you can stay comfortable.

Run your ceiling fan in reverse when you’re in a room. This redistributes warm air that accumulates near the ceiling.

Choose energy-efficient window treatments, like honeycomb shades or plantation shutters. If your home has old or drafty windows, installing plastic sheeting or window blankets provides an additional barrier against the cold.
Make the most of natural warmth by opening south-facing window treatments during the day. Don’t forget to close them at night to minimize heat loss.

While Gone
If it dips under 30 degrees, setting your thermostat between 64 and 65 degrees is a smart choice while gone. Your furnace won’t be heating a vacant home, but it’ll be easy for the temperature to bounce back when you return.

You may want to set the thermostat slightly higher if you have a dog, particularly a puppy, senior dog, small dog or a dog with short hair. Between 66-67 degrees will keep them cozy and happy.

What Temperature to Set Your Thermostat in Winter at Night
Keeping your bedroom cool can help you get a better night’s sleep. The National Sleep Foundation advises a thermostat setting of 64-65 degrees.

That might seem too cold if you’re used to a warmer temperature. If you’re used to sleeping at 68 degrees, try progressively lowering it over the next couple of days and sleep with more blankets or thicker pajamas.

Other Ways to Lower Energy Costs in the Winter
Keeping your thermostat at the ideal temperature in the winter is a good first step to keeping energy costs down. But there are a few other things you can do to trim your bill.

Get a new thermostat. Programmable thermostats are cheap, but most households don’t have them set up correctly. If yours is always on “hold,” you’re missing out on energy savings. While you can program yours, it can be a lengthy process, especially if your schedule varies from day to day. A smart thermostat can eliminate all those steps because it can develop an energy-efficient heating schedule based on your routine and temperature preferences. Learn how you can get a free smart thermostat (or one at a greatly reduced cost)!

Change your furnace air filter regularly. A dirty air filter can cause a lot of problems for your furnace, including making it use more energy or even causing it to malfunction. That’s why it’s important to replace yours every 30 days if you use a flat filter. Or every three months if you use a pleated filter. If you have pets or someone in your home has allergies or asthma, you may want to replace your filter more often.

Add extra insulation. Your home is probably among the 90% in the U.S. that don’t have adequate attic insulation. Homes in northern climates need 16-18", while those in southern climates require 13-14".

Install a new furnace. If your HVAC system is close to 15 years old, it’s time to start thinking about furnace installation. Installing an energy saving thermostat furnace can keep you comfier while keeping heating costs low. A new heating system is a big investment, but saswell HVAC helps make it more budget friendly through rebates, special offers and financing for qualified customers.