Thermostat Secrets: Settings That Actually Save Money

What temperatures actually save money

• In cooling season, many energy experts recommend setting your thermostat around 78°F when you’re home and awake, and a bit higher when you’re away or sleeping.

• In heating season, a common target is around 68°F when you’re home, and lower when you’re asleep or out of the house.

The big idea: every degree you move closer to the outdoor temperature usually lowers how long your system has to run, which cuts energy use over time.

Use “setbacks” instead of constant tweaks

Constantly bumping the thermostat up and down fights your system and can lead to longer run times than necessary.

• Pick reasonable “home,” “away,” and “sleep” temperatures and stick to them.

• Use larger temperature setbacks when you’ll be gone for 6+ hours (workdays, weekends away), and smaller setbacks for shorter windows.

• Avoid extreme settings (like dropping cooling way down or cranking heat way up) just to “speed things up”—that doesn’t cool or heat faster, it just makes the system run longer.

Why a programmable or smart thermostat helps

Programmable and smart thermostats automate the discipline most homeowners mean to have but don’t always follow.

• You can build a daily schedule: cooler at night in winter, warmer during summer days when you’re gone.

• Smart thermostats can learn your patterns and adjust automatically, or use geofencing to change settings when you leave and return.

• Many show energy reports, helping you see how small setting changes affect runtime and costs.

For many homes, simply using a thermostat schedule correctly can trim a noticeable percentage off heating and cooling bills over the year.

Small comfort tricks that add up

Thermostat savings work best when you support them with simple comfort habits:

• Use ceiling fans in occupied rooms so you feel cooler at a slightly higher setting in summer.

• Close blinds and curtains during the hottest hours on sunny sides of the house.

• In winter, take advantage of sun by opening blinds on south‑facing windows during the day and closing them at night.

These steps help you stay comfortable without needing such aggressive thermostat settings.

When to rethink your thermostat strategy

Consider revisiting your settings if:

• The system seems to run nonstop during peak heat or cold.

• You’re still uncomfortable even with big thermostat swings.

• Different family members are fighting over the temperature every day.

Sometimes this points to issues like poor airflow, duct problems, or an aging system that needs attention—not just thermostat settings.

If you’re unsure whether your thermostat is programmed for maximum savings—or if it’s even the right type for your system—Pierce Heating & Air can help. A technician can review your current setup, recommend money‑saving schedules for Tehachapi’s climate, and make sure your equipment and thermostat are working together the way they should. Give Pierce a call today or click here to contact us and schedule a comfort and efficiency check.