Smart thermostats can reduce heating and cooling costs by 10–23% when configured correctly. But many owners never adjust the default settings. Here's how to get the most savings from your smart thermostat.
Recommended Temperature Setpoints
The U.S. Department of Energy suggests 68°F (20°C) when home in winter and 78°F (26°C) when home in summer. When away or asleep, allow temperatures to drift 7–10°F. Your smart thermostat can automate these changes—the key is setting a schedule that matches your routine.
Create an Efficient Schedule
Most households follow predictable patterns. Set "Away" or "Sleep" modes for times when no one is home or everyone is asleep. Typical schedules:
- Weekday: Away 8am–5pm, Home 5pm–10pm, Sleep 10pm–6am
- Weekend: Home during day, Sleep at night
- Vacation: Extended Away mode (50–55°F winter, 85°F summer)
Enable Geofencing
Geofencing uses your phone's location to detect when you leave or return home. When you leave, the thermostat automatically switches to Away mode. When you're heading back, it pre-heats or pre-cools so the house is comfortable when you arrive. This eliminates manual adjustments and forgotten schedule changes.
Use Learning Features Wisely
Many smart thermostats "learn" your preferences. If you frequently override the schedule, the device may adapt—but it can also learn bad habits. Review and adjust the learned schedule periodically. Disable learning if you prefer full manual control.
Optimize Recovery Time
Smart thermostats often have "early on" or "smart recovery" features that start heating or cooling before your scheduled "Home" time so the house reaches the target temperature when you wake or arrive. This is more efficient than blasting the system at full power the moment you get home.
"The biggest mistake is setting the thermostat and forgetting it. Review your usage reports monthly. Most smart thermostats show runtime and savings—use that data to fine-tune."
Integrate with Other Smart Home Devices
Pair your thermostat with smart sensors in different rooms. Some systems can prioritize occupied rooms or average temperatures across sensors. If you have smart blinds, integrate them to close during hot afternoons and reduce cooling load.
Participate in Utility Programs
Many utilities offer rebates or demand-response programs for smart thermostats. During peak demand, they may briefly adjust your setpoint in exchange for bill credits. You can usually override if needed. Check your utility's website for enrollment.
Track your HVAC savings with ElectriBill's calculator. Compare bills before and after optimizing your smart thermostat to quantify the impact.