Stay Cozy & Cut Bills: The Best Temperature For Your Thermostat During Winter Nights

There are many reasons why people groan at the first sign of winter. The amount of daylight dwindles, the temperatures drop, and unexpected snow and ice storms can dampen travel plans or impact a regular commute to work. Winterizing your home can even be a chore if you're trying affordable DIYs to insulate your doors and block winter chills from coming through your windows, but it may be necessary to prevent sky-high electric and gas bills. To avoid issues from keeping your home too cold in winter, you'll have to turn your heating system on. Maintaining a warm temperature in your home uses a lot of energy, which can increase your energy bills compared to the rest of the year. Prevent your energy bills from becoming astronomical by setting your thermostat to a temperature that keeps your home cozy without using an exorbitant amount of energy, especially at nighttime.

Since more people tend to stay home and "hibernate" to avoid exposure to the frigid weather, higher energy bills are practically inevitable. Setting your thermostat back a few degrees at night or when you're not home, however, can save you up to 10% on your heating bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Setting your thermostat to 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night is ideal for both getting quality sleep and cutting your energy bills. This temperature is a sweet spot for ultimate coziness for yourself and your furnace since it does not require a lot of energy to maintain that temperature inside your home during colder months.

It's a common misconception that good-quality sleep comes from keeping your bedroom warm and toasty. The National Sleep Foundation debunks that, stating that in order to create a perfect sleep environment, it's better to keep your bedroom cooler, with ideal temperatures ranging between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. Setting your thermostat to 65 degrees at night allows your home to stay right in the middle of the perfect sleep climate, encouraging your body to fall into a state of rest naturally. Not only is this the ideal temperature to keep your bedroom at for sleep, it can also help save you money on energy costs throughout winter.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, it's best to set your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit lower than usual when you're away or asleep. This can also help your furnace run smoothly in the long run by preventing it from running constantly in an attempt to maintain a toasty environment in your home. Just as the average adult needs at least seven hours of sleep to maintain good health, giving your furnace a sufficient break from maintaining a constant temperature during winter nights ensures it runs efficiently for a long time. Preventing your furnace from overuse can ultimately save you thousands of dollars on repairs and potential replacements, too.