Household · official-source review · reviewed 2026-10-10
Turning the thermostat down at night saves energy, but most people guess the percentage wrong.
Estimate annual heating savings from a standard nighttime setback.
Homeowners adjusting thermostat schedules to save on heating.
Use the source document or official route that applies to your situation. This guide does not contact another person or verify external information.
Use last winter's total heating bill (gas, oil, or electric heat).
Plan how many hours per day the temperature can drop while you sleep.
8°F is the standard efficient setback for most climates.
Set the schedule to warm the house before you wake.
A $1,800 annual heating bill with an 8-hour, 8°F setback saves about $144 per year (8%).
Use your own source and details. The example is not a record about a real person or organization.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Energy Star · reviewed 2026-10-10
What this source supports: Properly used programmable thermostats can save about 10% per year on heating and cooling by turning the temperature back 7–10°F for 8 hours a day.
Source limit: Savings depend on climate, insulation, and system size. This is a rough estimate.
These sources support the statements above. They do not show that every person needs this guide. They do not show a specific result.
This App gives a rough estimate from your heating cost and setback hours. It does not model your house.
Savings depend on climate, insulation, and system size. This is a rough estimate.
Use current instructions from the responsible organization. This guide is a planning aid, not an official decision or a substitute for qualified advice.
Estimate annual heating savings from a scheduled nighttime thermostat setback.
This is a rough estimate from standard DOE savings rules. It does not model your specific home.
You enter every number yourself. The sources support the method and the limits. They do not produce a result for your specific case. Keep the original documents next to the sheet you build.
The App computes the worked example with your own numbers, in your browser.
APP 1
Estimate annual heating savings from a scheduled nighttime thermostat setback.
Free · no account · no upload
Open Thermostat Setback Savings EstimatorThe App runs in this browser. It does not send or save entries. Copy, download, or print only when you choose.
This guide uses short, direct instructions as an ASD-STE100-style writing target. It is not a formal certification.
Companion App: Thermostat Setback Savings Estimator. It runs in this browser and does not upload your entries.
This guide is edited for clarity and checked against the sources it links. It is not a substitute for official instructions or qualified advice. A linked source does not show that every person needs this guide.