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Set separate comfort and sleep or away periods: keep the daytime setting comfortable while people are home, then use a higher setpoint overnight or during absences in cooling season, and a lower setpoint in heating season. The right settings depend on your household, HVAC system, climate and comfort—not just the outdoor temperature.
Set a comfort period and a sleep or away period
First check whether your thermostat is controlling heating, cooling or a heat pump. Choose a daytime comfort setting that works for the people in your home, then schedule a sleep period for the cooler night hours if that suits you. A new thermostat is not necessary if your current one lets you change settings manually.
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In cooling mode, raise the setpoint for sleep or regular absences rather than cooling an empty home to the daytime comfort setting. In heating mode, lower the setpoint during sleep or regular absences rather than heating to the occupied setting. These are the energy-saving directions; there is no single temperature that is right for every home.
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- Check the controls. Look at the thermostat display and schedule options. If you are unsure how to select the mode or set a schedule, consult the thermostat or HVAC equipment manual.
- Set the occupied period. Choose a temperature that feels comfortable when people are home and active during the day.
- Set sleep or away periods. Use a higher cooling setpoint or a lower heating setpoint for regular sleep hours or times when the home is empty.
- Choose a return time. Set the schedule to return to the occupied setting when it works for your household. Fixed schedules are common on programmable thermostats; some smart models can learn routines or use occupancy, remote-control or sensor features.
- Adjust gradually. Make modest changes and observe comfort. ENERGY STAR’s archived 2009 consumer guide offers sample settings as starting points to adapt to household schedules and comfort, not universal targets or a guarantee of savings: Get the Greatest Benefit from Your Programmable Thermostat.
What changes for a heat pump?
Heat-pump recovery and thermostat compatibility can affect how a setback works. Avoid aggressive setbacks without system-specific guidance. Check the heat-pump manufacturer’s manual, or ask a qualified HVAC professional if you are unsure which schedule your system supports.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY PROTECTION*: Sensi won’t sell your personal information to third parties
- EASY DIY INSTALLATION: Use the built-in level and step-by-step app instructions for a quick installation. Works with HVAC equipment found in most homes. Common wire (c-wire) is not required in most applications
- SAVE ABOUT 23% ON HVAC ENERGY*: The ENERGY STAR-certified Sensi smart thermostat can help you save energy with features like flexible scheduling, remote access and usage reports
- SIMPLE CONFIGURATION: Looks and feels like a thermostat. Has buttons and fits the same space as a traditional thermostat so you don’t have to patch and paint your walls
- SMART MAINTENANCE: Sensi can help monitor the performance and efficiency of your HVAC system by delivering valuable usage reports, alerts about your equipment, and maintenance reminders like filter replacement
When does a smart thermostat help?
A smart thermostat may be useful if you want app control, a learning schedule, occupancy sensing or geofencing, but those features vary by model and are not required to adjust temperatures by time of day. Check the individual product’s capabilities and the home’s HVAC compatibility before replacing a thermostat. ENERGY STAR’s smart thermostat buying guidance recommends confirming compatibility; specialized systems may work best with a controller from their manufacturer.
ENERGY STAR’s archived guide gives historical general guidance of changing the setting by 5–8 degrees—down in winter, up in summer—when away for several hours. It also cites an annual savings estimate from that era. Neither the historic range nor the old dollar estimate should be treated as a current prediction for an individual home: results vary with climate, equipment and home characteristics. ENERGY STAR explains that savings estimates depend on factors including heating and cooling degree days and the home: Smart Thermostats FAQs.
Rank #2
- An Alexa thermostat - Amazon Smart Thermostat is an easy way to switch from a traditional thermostats for homes and help reduce energy usage.
- Create comfort zones throughout your home by connecting to select Alexa devices to automatically adjust heating and cooling based on temperature readings or presence detection.
- Save money and energy - After purchase, Amazon will send you an email with details about home thermostat rebates that may be available from energy providers in your area.
- Save energy - According to EPA estimates, ENERGY STAR certified thermostats save an average of $90 on yearly energy bills.
- Programmable thermostat and automatic control - Create your own home, away and sleep schedules, or have Alexa automatically control the temperature with Alexa+ advanced features.
Small comfort adjustments that do not change room temperature
A ceiling fan can make people feel cooler by moving air, but it does not cool the room. Switch it off when you leave. For more guidance on heating and cooling efficiently, see ENERGY STAR’s heating and cooling advice.
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Rank #4
- ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat for home that helps you save energy and stay comfortable.Product note: You can also check your system’s compatibility before purchasing a Nest thermostat with our online Nest Compatibility Checker on the Google Nest support page.Connectivity Protocol : Wi-Fi.Connectivity Protocol : Wi-Fi
- The Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C wire in most homes, but for some systems, including heating only, cooling only, zone controlled, and heat pump systems, you’ll need a C wire or other compatible power accessory. Lock feature: No
- Nest Thermostat turns itself down when you leave, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty home; easily program an energy efficient schedule in the Google home app on your Android or iPhone
- Remote control lets family members change the thermostat temperature from anywhere on a phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
- Savings Finder looks for more ways your thermostat can help you save, and suggests tweaks to your schedule in the app; check with your energy provider to learn more about rebates and more ways to save on a Nest thermostat
Rank #3
- ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostat for home that helps you save energy and stay comfortable.Connectivity : Wi-Fi - 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz, 802.11a/n 5 GHz Wi-Fi., Wireless interconnect : Bluetooth Low Energy Please refer to the product description section below for all applicable legal disclaimers.Product note: You can also check your system’s compatibility before purchasing a Nest thermostat with our online Nest Compatibility Checker on the Google Nest support page
- The Nest Thermostat is designed to work without a C wire in most homes, but for some systems, including heating only, cooling only, zone controlled, and heat pump systems, you’ll need a C wire or other compatible power accessory
- Nest Thermostat turns itself down when you leave, so you don’t waste energy heating or cooling an empty home. Lock feature: No
- Programmable thermostat that lets you create an energy efficient schedule in the Google Home app on your Android or iPhone
- Remote control lets family members change the thermostat temperature from anywhere on a phone, laptop, or tablet[1]
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