What is a Setback Thermostat and How Does it Work?

By Anne Fonda

Setback thermostat, or thermostat setback, refers to adjusting the thermostat settings while you’re away from home or asleep. It’s not a specific type of thermostat. When heating your home in the colder months, you would set back, or lower the temperature while you’re away or sleeping.

In the warmer months, you would adjust the temperature upwards while you’re away from home at work or on vacation.

What Is the Best Setback Temperature?

Now let’s discuss optimal temperature settings for different seasons. To maximize energy savings, the indoor temperature should be closer to the temperature outdoors. According to The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the optimal set temperatures for when you are home are:

Winter while home: 68-70 degrees

Summer while home: 75-78 degrees

First, find a comfortable temperature for you when you’re home. Consider wearing a sweater in the winter and adding flannel sheets to your bed. Take steps to keep your home from heating up in the summer. Close the drapes to keep the sun out and use ceiling and floor fans to help you feel cooler.

Do setback thermostats save money?

Yes. According to the DOE, you can save 10% a year on heating and cooling costs by setting your thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day while you’re at work, and lowering or raising the temperature at least a few degrees while you’re asleep. Your savings could be even more if you have an energy-efficient HVAC system and a well-insulated house. 

So the optimal thermostat setback temperature ranges, using the above temperatures as a starting point would be:

Winter while away: 58-63

Summer while away: 85-88

When you make these temperature setbacks, your HVAC system runs less often, resulting in cost savings. Your furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner will need to run longer to reach the desired temperature for when you arrive home from work. But that will take less energy than it would for your system to heat and cool an empty house at your regular comfort setting.

Consider an Auto Setback Thermostat

If you still have a non-programmable thermostat, remembering to change the temperature before you leave the house or go to bed can be a hassle. Make it easy on yourself and upgrade to a programmable thermostat or smart thermostat.

Both types allow you to program a schedule for weekdays and weekends, with multiple periods each day. Some smart thermostats can even learn your temperature preferences and automatically adjust the temperature to ensure optimal comfort. Some zoning systems and multi-zone ductless systems also have occupancy sensors and will adjust the temperature when rooms or a house are unoccupied.

Ready to save money with a new thermostat? Browse our selection of thermostats and contact your local Trane dealer for product recommendations that are compatible with your system.

Anne Fonda, Content Writer

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A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.

She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.

When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.

Expert review by Michael Morey, Smart Thermostat Product Manager