As winter creeps in and temperatures drop, you’re probably eyeing your thermostat like it’s plotting a personal attack on your wallet. Should you leave your heating on all the time, or switch it off when you’re away or asleep? Experts have weighed in—and with energy bills on everyone’s mind, it’s worth getting the facts straight to save money while keeping comfortable.
The 64°F Rule: Where Savings Start
Good news for those who don’t love the heat: there’s no need to turn your home into the tropics! The recommended minimum temperature to maintain indoors is about 64°F (18°C). Every degree above that can raise your energy use by roughly 7%. So, wearing a t-shirt and keeping the thermostat high all winter isn’t the most cost-effective move, especially if your heating bill makes you want to hibernate until spring.
But can you save even more? Absolutely. The simplest strategy: turn your heating off or down when you’re not home or when you’re sleeping. Your comforter or blanket isn’t just for looks—during sleep, your body temperature naturally drops and your comfort needs are lower, so you can turn the heat down without sacrificing sleep quality.
Turning Down the Heat: Smart Moves for Real Savings
You might have heard claims that reheating a cold house consumes more than leaving the heat running at a steady temperature. For very short periods, there’s a bit of truth to that, but multiple analyses show that over the long term, lowering or turning off the heat when you’re away or asleep really does cut your energy bills.
Not all homes are the same. In France, around 17% of residences in 2022 were classified as poorly insulated “thermal sieves”—and it’s similar in other regions, especially with older buildings. If your place isn’t well insulated, avoid abrupt shutdowns. Instead, lower the thermostat modestly when you’re gone or at night. Extreme drops can be hard on both your pipes and your comfort, but cooler (not cold) settings still mean savings.
Healthy Habits: Air Out Daily and Use Thermostats
Contrary to popular belief, cold doesn’t make you sick; viruses do. In winter, dry air and stuffy rooms help viruses spread, so air out your home for at least 10 minutes a day—even when it’s chilly. When you do, turn the heating off. Multiplied by a hundred cold days, that short daily break adds up to meaningful savings.
To make smart heating easier, use programmable thermostats or timers. Manual adjustments work, but these routines help prevent forgetfulness and mental load. According to European energy agency data, radiator thermostatic valves and programmable thermostats can save you an average of 8–13% on energy. Smart thermostats, now widely available in the US and globally, can make temperature control even easier and are sometimes on sale at significant discounts.
Controlling the space you heat is just as important as scheduling. There’s no need to keep every room warm. For rarely used rooms, close the doors and keep heating low. A small space heater works well for the bathroom, and in the kitchen, cooking appliances often generate enough extra heat. Open or close doors to direct warm air where you need it most.
Insulation also makes a difference. Even if major upgrades aren’t possible, small steps such as closing curtains or blinds at night can reduce heat loss, whether your home is modern or older. Big insulation projects may be expensive, but these little changes can boost comfort for less.
Don’t Forget Maintenance—and Dress for the Weather
Regular maintenance matters: bleed radiators, clean chimney flues, and service your boiler to keep systems efficient. If your equipment is outdated, consider upgrading to more efficient models—even if there’s an upfront cost, you’ll likely see the savings over time.
And there’s one tip that never goes out of style: it’s your body you need to keep comfortable, not the furniture. Plenty of people want to wear t-shirts indoors in January, but pulling on a sweater instead lowers your energy use and helps the planet a bit, too. Warm, practical, and sustainable—it’s a win all around.
