The Best Thermostat Settings for Winter Comfort and Energy Savings
Find The Right Balance Between Staying Cozy and Managing Your Heating Costs This Winter
Gray winter mornings in Bellevue can be tough. You roll out of bed, and the chill hits you before your feet even touch the floor. You wonder if you should have run the heat more, but are concerned about ballooning your energy budget. The good news is that a few smart adjustments to your thermostat settings can keep your family comfortable without cranking up your heating bills. If you have young kids who need consistent warmth, pets who are home during the day, or elderly family members who feel the cold more intensely, the right thermostat strategy makes all the difference. Let's look at some practical energy-saving thermostat tips that work for homes throughout Western Washington.
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The Sweet Spot for Winter Comfort
The Department of Energy recommends a temperature of 68°F when you're home and awake. It's warm enough to feel comfortable without overworking your furnace. When you're asleep or away, drop it down to 62-65°F. You might not notice the difference under your blankets at night, but your heating system will. Each degree you lower the thermostat may help reduce your energy costs by a few percentage points over the course of a winter.
If manually adjusting your thermostat twice a day sounds like a hassle, programmable and smart thermostats handle it automatically. Set your preferences once, and the system takes care of the rest. These work beautifully with modern Bryant furnaces and heating systems, learning your schedule and making adjustments so you don't have to think about it.
Smart Settings for Families with Special Needs
Not every household can follow the same formula. If you have young children, you'll want to keep things more consistent—somewhere between 67-69°F—to avoid them waking up cold in the middle of the night. Sudden temperature swings can make bedtime a lot harder than it needs to be.
For homes with pets, consider your dog or cat spending the day indoors while you're at work. Most pets do fine with the thermostat set to 65-68°F, though smaller or older animals might need it a bit warmer.
If you have elderly family members living with you, comfort becomes even more important. Many older adults feel cold more easily and do better with temperatures around 70-72°F. Programmable thermostats let you customize schedules for different parts of the day, and zoning systems can keep one area warmer than another—perfect for multi-generational homes where everyone has different comfort needs.
Features That Boost Efficiency
Your thermostat's fan setting matters more than you might think. Keeping it on "Auto" instead of "On" means the fan only runs when your furnace is actively heating, which is more efficient. Smart thermostats go a step further by learning your habits, sending you energy reports, and letting you adjust settings from your phone when plans change. If you prefer more airflow for better circulation without the heat, some smart thermostats have settings that allow you to run the fan for a minimum number of minutes per hour.
If different rooms in your home feel too hot or too cold, zoning systems let you control temperatures in separate areas. Upstairs bedrooms can stay cooler while the main floor stays warmer—whatever works best for how your family actually lives.
Finding the right thermostat settings keeps your Eastside home comfortable all winter without constantly worrying about your energy bills. If you're ready to upgrade to a smart thermostat or want help optimizing your current system, Bob's Heating can help. Give us a call at 800-840-3346 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation.
