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Three useful smart thermostat settings are a scheduled setback during sleep or time away, a schedule that matches your household’s actual routine, and a cooling setting that doesn’t treat humidity as a temperature problem. The right choices depend on your HVAC system: the U.S. Department of Energy’s possible savings figure is conditional guidance, and heat pumps and humid homes can need different approaches.
1. Schedule a setback for sleep or unoccupied hours
In fall and winter, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) says turning the thermostat down 7°–10°F for eight hours a day—and turning it up in spring and summer—can save as much as 10% per year on heating and cooling. This is a general recommendation, not a guaranteed reduction in every household’s bills. The result will depend on the home, weather, equipment, and how the schedule is used. DOE’s Energy Saver guidance also says heating and air conditioning typically account for about 32% of home energy use in the United States.
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Set the schedule around hours when people are asleep or the home is empty, rather than applying a setback while someone is there and uncomfortable. The goal is to avoid heating or cooling an empty home to the same setting used during occupied hours.
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A setback can behave differently with a heat pump. DOE cautions that some manual setbacks may trigger more expensive electric-resistance backup heat. Use a thermostat designed for heat-pump control and follow the equipment and thermostat guidance for your system; don’t assume that a larger setback will produce greater savings. DOE’s thermostat guidance explains this qualification.
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- 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]
2. Make home, away, and sleep schedules reflect real routines
Smart thermostats can follow programmed schedules, and some can adjust settings based on occupancy or activity. DOE Building Science Education notes that “Smart thermostats can adjust based on occupancy or activity.” If your device supports those features, use them to reflect when the home is actually occupied instead of relying on a generic schedule. See DOE Building Science Education’s overview of programmable thermostats.
Review the schedule when routines change—for example, if workdays and weekends differ or someone is home during the day. There is no single comfort temperature that fits every climate, household, and HVAC system, so set occupied periods according to the people in the home and adjust from there.
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- 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.
If you are considering a new device, DOE says ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostats are independently certified using actual field data to deliver energy savings. Features can include scheduling, energy-use tracking, and remote control; replacing a working thermostat is not necessary just to use the schedule advice here. Confirm compatibility with your exact HVAC equipment, especially if you have a heat pump. Some utilities offer incentives for eligible ENERGY STAR certified smart thermostats, but availability and terms are local—check with your utility for current details. DOE’s Energy Saver guidance covers certification and incentives.
3. Don’t use a lower cooling setpoint as a humidity fix
Lowering the thermostat can cool a room without solving a moisture problem. DOE explains that “Modern air conditioning systems are very effective at reducing the temperature, but not as effective at removing moisture from the air.” In hot, humid conditions, pushing the cooling setpoint lower may leave humidity high while making the room uncomfortably cold. DOE’s guidance on humidity control in hot-humid climates discusses this limitation.
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- Save up to 23% every year on heating and cooling costs, adjusts to your set schedule to save energy when you’re gone and optimize comfort when you’re home. Compared to a hold of 72
- Compatible with 85% of systems, check your system’s compatibility with our online ecobee Compatibility Checker on the ecobee support page
- Change your temperature by easily tapping the color touchscreen or using the ecobee app. Plus, free software upgrades ensure you get the best out of your Smart Thermostat Essential, for years to come
- Automatically adjusts to your set schedule to save energy when you’re gone and optimize comfort when you’re home. Keep track of your energy consumption when you're on the go on the ecobee app
- Easy DIY install. No C Wire, no problem. Get the ecobee Power Extender Kit (PEK) for homes without a C-Wire and keep your walls looking nice with our trim kit – both sold separately
If humidity remains uncomfortable, consider the HVAC system’s setup and available humidity controls rather than choosing an arbitrary low temperature. Because appropriate settings depend on the equipment and conditions, consult the system documentation or an HVAC professional for persistent humidity problems.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to choose which settings to try
- Start with system type and compatibility: confirm how your thermostat controls your heating and cooling equipment; pay particular attention to heat-pump backup heat.
- Use actual occupancy and sleep times: schedule setbacks only for periods when people are asleep or away.
- Respond to comfort and humidity separately: adjust temperature for comfort, but investigate persistent moisture through equipment-specific guidance rather than continually lowering the cooling setting.
DOE Building Science Education also presents an estimate that if every home used a smart thermostat, the country would save 56 trillion BTUs of energy per year. That is a hypothetical estimate on its educational page, not a measurement of current household savings. DOE Building Science Education provides the estimate and its thermostat context.
Quick Recap
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- EASY DIY INSTALLATION: Do it yourself fast with a built-in level and simple step-by-step instructions. Works with the HVAC equipment found in most homes
- COMMON WIRE REQUIREMENTS: Common wire(C-Wire) required for heat pump and heat/cool only systems. C-wire not required on most systems
- SAVE ABOUT 23% ON HVAC ENERGY: ENERGY STAR-certified and packed with features that help you save money, including flexible scheduling, geofencing, remote access and usage reports
- PRIVACY PROTECTION: Sensi won’t sell your personal information to third parties or leverage your thermostat activity data for targeting or advertising purposes
- CONTROL FROM ANYWHERE: The top-rated mobile app for Android and iOS devices makes it easy to control your comfort from a smartphone or tablet
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