What Temperature Should You Set Your Thermostat to This Fall?

Fall is a fickle season. One day it may feel like summer is trying to hang on, while the next day you wake up to Ole Man Winter at your doorstep. These fluctuating temperatures can also change dramatically within one day, with frost on the ground in the morning giving way to balmy conditions in the afternoon. This weather whiplash can make it challenging to decide the best temperature to set your thermostat.

Best Thermostat Settings for the Fall Months

How do you deal with this transition season and its wild temperature swings? Here is what the HVAC experts say is the best approach to setting your home thermostat to deliver comfort without having to spend a fortune adjusting the readings from day to day.

The first thing to remember is that there is no single ideal temperature. How warm or cool you keep your home is a personal preference. However, most experts recommend keeping a home temperature between 60 and 70 degrees during the fall months.

“Fall is a transition season, so the goal is to find a comfortable setting without constantly making dramatic changes to the thermostat,” said HVAC expert Kim Lincoln. “I recommend setting the thermostat near 68°F when heating is needed, making modest adjustments when sleeping or away, and letting indoor comfort and humidity guide you.”

Tamer Sayed, an HVAC technician, concurs with Lincoln's recommendation. He advises that a good goal during this time of the year is between 64 and 68 degrees. This range will keep you the most comfortable while also ensuring that your energy bill does not start to balloon.

It is not unusual to have to make adjustments to the thermostat throughout the day and night. Pleasant days often give way to chilly nights in a hurry. These fluctuating temperatures often make it necessary to adjust the thermostat between day and night baselines.

Most people prefer a cooler temperature at night for better sleep comfort. This is when a smart thermostat can come in clutch. Not only do smart thermostats take the hassle out of always adjusting the readings, but they can also deliver considerable savings because they are so energy efficient.

It bears repeating that what is comfortable for one person may not be comfortable for another. As a general rule, daytime readings should ideally be set around 68 to 70 degrees during the fall if balancing comfort and energy costs is your goal. At night, these readings can be dialed back to between 60 and 65 degrees.

If you are able to set a smart thermostat for when the household is away, you can safely drop to between 55 and 60 degrees. This range will yield savings on the energy bill without putting any part of the home at risk.

Turning the HVAC Off During the Fall Months

For many households, the more moderate temperatures this time of year make this the least expensive season for energy bills. Take advantage of the outside temperatures being comfortable to cool the home.

Lincoln says that there is no danger in turning the HVAC system completely off when neither heating nor cooling is needed. She explains, “In that situation, homeowners can switch the system off temporarily and use natural ventilation if outdoor conditions are comfortable and the indoor temperature and humidity remain in a safe, comfortable range."

Homes located in climates with moderate humidity levels and temperatures that bounce around in the 60s and 70s may be able to go weeks or even months without turning on the HVAC. This is especially true during the fall and spring seasons when temperatures tend to lean more moderate.

Once freezing weather is in the forecast, you will want to make sure the heat system is ready to go even if it still feels comfortable inside to you. Be extra vigilant about checking the overnight low forecast during the fall months. Just because temperatures feel pleasant during the day, this is the season when the mercury can drop quickly once the sun goes down. You will want to make sure the heat kicks on at night to prevent pipe damage.

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