What Should My Thermostat Be Set to in Winter in Tallahassee?

Key Takeaways

• Best Winter Setting: Set your thermostat to 68–70°F when you’re home and awake for optimal comfort and energy efficiency.
• Night & Away Setting: Lower to 60–62°F while asleep or out of the house to save on heating bills without sacrificing comfort.
• Why It Matters in Florida Winters: Setting your thermostat correctly helps reduce energy costs, manage indoor humidity, and prevent your HVAC system from overworking.
• Smart Thermostat Advantage: Programmable or smart thermostats automatically adjust temperatures for you, boosting efficiency and consistency.
• Avoid Common Mistakes: Don’t crank the heat higher to warm up faster, turn the system completely off, or block vents; these practices waste energy and strain your HVAC system.
• Extra Savings Tips: Replace filters monthly, seal drafts, and schedule seasonal HVAC tune-ups. Air Control Heating and Cooling also helps Tallahassee homeowners access rebates and financing options.

Thermostats have undergone considerable changes since Air Control Heating and Cooling began offering Carrier-backed, NATE-certified HVAC services to homes and businesses in the Tallahassee area more than 50 years ago. In the 1960s and ‘70s, thermostats were primarily mechanical or analog, relying on bimetallic or mercury switches to control heating and cooling. They couldn’t be programmed and required manual adjustments, resulting in limited precision and frequent temperature fluctuations. 

Today’s digital smart thermostats provide precise temperature control, with easy programming, remote control, and advanced sensors to detect occupancy, user habits, humidity, and other features to optimize performance and efficiency. Tallahassee-area homeowners can take full advantage of these features this winter to maximize their comfort, HVAC system operations, and energy savings.      

However, the first question a homeowner might ask us is, “What should my thermostat be set to in winter?” Let’s review the answer and explore other tips for optimizing HVAC winter performance with your smart thermostat. 

Why Thermostat Settings Matter

Correctly setting your thermostat during the winter in Florida can benefit your household in three distinct ways beyond just ensuring a cozy indoor environment. First, even a few degrees difference can have a significant impact on your heating bills. Keeping the thermostat at a moderate setting reduces energy consumption, while higher settings use significant energy with only modest gains in comfort. Setting the thermostat to a lower temperature when away or sleeping can provide additional energy savings.  

Second, despite the cold, Florida’s winters can still be humid. A correctly set thermostat can help maintain indoor humidity at comfortable levels, while improving air quality and impeding mold growth. 

And third, consistent thermostat settings help prevent HVAC systems from overworking during sudden temperature drops, helping avoid potential repair costs and extending the system’s operational lifespan.     

What Experts Recommend for Winter Settings

The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall energy bills will be. With this in mind, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F when householders are present and awake in winter. When away from home or asleep, the department recommends decreasing the setting by 7°F to 10°F. It notes that in milder climates, such as Tallahassee’s, the savings are especially pronounced from such setbacks. 

Tailoring Your Thermostat Strategy

Thus, your thermostat setting strategy in Tallahassee should look something like this:

• Occupied Hours—Maintain a temperature between 68°F and 70°F, which is Warm, comfortable, and energy-efficient.
• Away at Work or Night—Lower to around 60°F–62°F, which is still comfortable enough and safe, boosts cost-savings, and decreases operational stress on the system.
• Bridge with Smart Controls—If you haven’t done so yet, upgrade your HVAC system with a smart or programmable thermostat to automate temperature shifts and stay efficient. Air Control’s heating experts can help you do this. 

Thermostat and HVAC System No-Nos

Along with tailoring your thermostat strategy for Tallahassee’s mild winter, there are a few thermostat and HVAC practices you should avoid because they can compromise comfort, waste energy, and damage systems. Thermostat and HVAC system no-nos include:

• Cranking the Thermostat Too High—HVAC systems warm at a steady rate, so trying to warm up faster doesn’t work and only wastes energy. 
• Turning It Off Completely—Shutting off the HVAC system on mild days can cause humidity buildup and strain the system when it’s powered back up. 
• Closing or Blocking Vents—HVAC systems need balanced airflow; shutting vents raises pressure and can cause damage or inefficiency. 
• Neglecting Maintenance—Skipping semiannual or annual HVAC maintenance reduces efficiency and forces systems to work harder, leading to higher energy costs, breakdown risk, and a decrease in operational lifespan. 

Additional Tips from Air Control

We’ve provided you with some no-nos, so let’s counter-balance those with the following do-dos: 

• Filter Upkeep—Replace or clean filters monthly to maximize airflow and efficiency.
• Seal & Insulate—Prevent drafts by sealing windows and adding insulation to boost heating efficiency.
• Optimize Indoor Air Quality—Clean ducts, install air purifiers, or upgrade filters to improve air quality. Indoor air quality services are offered in Tallahassee by Air Control Heating and Cooling.
• Explore Rebates & Financing—Air Control regularly helps customers access valuable incentives to offset the costs of upgrades and new HVAC installations.
• Regular Maintenance Pays Off—Seasonal tune-ups before winter ensure optimal comfort, performance, and energy savings. Air Control’s maintenance club offers Tallahassee customers a convenient and cost-effective way to maintain their HVAC systems regularly. 

Winter Thermostat Settings at a Glance

To recap the answer to the question of “what should my thermostat be set to in winter,” here’s the quick-glance answer

Remember, incremental changes to your thermostat settings can significantly reduce your heating bill, and a smart thermostat can provide your household with precision settings. Don’t forget to schedule your winter HVAC tune-up. If you have any questions about your HVAC system or system upgrades, please call Air Control Heating and Cooling.  

Serving as Tallahassee’s trusted HVAC experts since 1968, the NATE-certified, Carrier-authorized heating and cooling technicians stand ready to help your household with all of its HVAC service, maintenance, and installation needs. Contact Air Control Heating and Cooling today to schedule an appointment. 

FAQ: Winter in Florida Thermostat Settings

Q: What should my thermostat be set to in winter?
A: Most experts recommend keeping your thermostat around 68-70°F when you’re home and lowering it to 60-62°F at night or when away. This balances comfort and energy savings.

Q: Is it cheaper to keep the thermostat at one temperature?
A: No, lowering your thermostat when you’re away or asleep helps reduce energy use. A programmable or smart thermostat makes these adjustments automatic and efficient.

Q: Should I turn my heat off when I leave for the day?
A: It’s better to lower the temperature instead of turning it off completely. Shutting it off forces your system to work harder later, which uses more energy and stresses the unit.

Q: What temperature should I set my thermostat to at night?
A: Around 60-62°F at night is usually comfortable when paired with blankets. It also helps lower heating bills without sacrificing sleep comfort.

Q: Will setting my thermostat too high heat my home faster?
A: No, your furnace works at the same speed regardless of the setting. Setting it too high only makes the system run longer, wasting energy and increasing costs.