Throughout the year in Indianapolis and across Central Indiana, the temperature will fluctuate from hot and humid in the summer to frigid and below-freezing in the winter.
Finding the recommended thermostat settings for summer and winter can be tricky. If you’re like most people, you want to strike the right balance between staying comfortable and saving on energy costs. This can be especially tough in Indiana’s fluctuating climate.
Whether you're trying to stay cool during muggy summers or warming up during icy winters, setting your thermostat correctly makes a measurable difference. Here's how to take control of your indoor climate without sacrificing comfort or your budget.
Recommended Thermostat Settings
The recommended thermostat settings for summer and winter depend on the time of day and whether you're at home or not. Smart programming and making minor adjustments throughout the day can save you up to 10% a year on heating and cooling bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
What Temperature Should You Set Your Thermostat in Summer?
When it’s hot outside, your thermostat setting can impact how hard your air conditioner works—and how much you spend each month. Here’s what we recommend for your summer thermostat setting:
- When You're Home
Set your thermostat to 78°F (25.5°C) during the day. This is ideal for comfort and efficiency, especially when using fans to improve circulation.
- When You're Away from Home
Increase the setting to 85°F (29.5°C) when you’re away. This might sound high, but we promise it’s not. Setting the temperature at a higher setting while you’re away prevents unnecessary strain on your air conditioning unit.
- When You're Sleeping
Lowering the temperature slightly to 78°F can improve sleep quality without drastically increasing energy usage. Pair this with ceiling fans or programmable thermostat adjustments for added comfort.
What Temperature Should You Set Your Thermostat in Winter?
As temperatures drop in winter, it’s tempting to crank up the heat, but staying efficient helps you save during the winter. Here’s what you can do to maintain your winter thermostat setting:
- When You're Home
Keep the thermostat at 68°F during the day. This is the best temperature to stay comfortable without overworking your heating system.
- When You're Away from Home
Set your thermostat between 60 and 62°F when you’re away. This helps save energy while keeping pipes from freezing. If you’re away for more than a day, a temperature of 55°F is recommended.
- When You're Sleeping
Setting the temperature to 65°F promotes better sleep and can reduce your energy bill, especially when using flannel sheets or heated blankets.
Heat Pumps Operate Differently in Heating Mode
If your home uses a heat pump, the rules change slightly. These systems work more efficiently at steady temperatures, so large temperature fluctuations can cause them to work harder and reduce their efficiency.
It is generally not recommended to use a programmable thermostat with a heat pump for this reason. However, new programmable thermostats are now available that are specifically designed for heat pumps.
Either way, the best method to get the most out of your heat pump is to maintain a moderate setting.
What Temperature Should I Set My AC for Allergy Relief?
For optimal allergy control while maintaining energy efficiency, set your thermostat between 75-78°F during summer months. This temperature range allows your AC to run consistently enough to filter air and reduce humidity without excessive energy costs.
A programmable thermostat makes this even easier by maintaining stable conditions automatically—crucial for preventing the humidity fluctuations that encourage mold growth and dust mite populations.
Best Temperature to Set Thermostat to Save Money
Adjusting your thermostat is one of the most effective ways to save money on your energy bills, regardless of the season.
Below is a quick-reference guide with the ideal temperature ranges for both summer and winter:
| Season | At Home | Away | Asleep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | 68°F | 60–62°F | 65°F |
| Summer | 78°F | 85°F | 78°F |
Energy-Saving Tips
You can stretch your HVAC system’s performance and reduce monthly bills with a few practical adjustments around the house. Here’s how:
- Install a Programmable or Smart Thermostat - A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts your home’s temperature based on your schedule. Many models allow you to control temperatures through your smartphone.
- Seal Windows and Doors - Drafty doors and leaky windows can let conditioned air escape. Use weather stripping, caulk, or thermal curtains to lock in comfort and avoid overworking your HVAC system.
- Maintain Your HVAC System - Dirty filters, clogged vents, and worn components all reduce efficiency. Scheduling regular maintenance appointments helps extend the life of your system and prevents costly repairs.
How to Use a Programmable Thermostat Effectively
Using a programmable thermostat correctly can significantly reduce your energy use without sacrificing comfort. But to reap the most benefits, it’s important to program it correctly.
According to ENERGY STAR, these best practices will help your programmable thermostat work for you, not against you:
- Install your thermostat away from heat sources.
Avoid placing your programmable thermostat near windows, skylights, fireplaces, lamps, or heating and cooling registers.
- Set the thermostat to energy-saving temperatures for extended periods.
Maintaining the same energy-saving temperature settings during the day when no one is home or while you are asleep is best.
- Use the “hold” button only when necessary.
Keeping your settings at a constant energy-saving temperature while you are away for more than a day is best. Use the “hold” button when going on vacation or away for the weekend.
- Don’t constantly adjust the settings.
Constantly adjusting the settings overrides pre-programmed settings. These frequent manual changes cause your system to work harder and increase energy costs.
- Use a programmable thermostat for each zone in your home.
Zoned heating and cooling systems work best when each area has its own programmed thermostat.
- Change your batteries annually.
Low battery levels can cause your system to stop following the programmed schedule or fail altogether. Upgrading to a smart thermostat can simplify this process.
Many models offer voice control, smartphone access, and even geofencing, which adjusts the temperature when you leave or return home.
Take Control of Your Comfort and Energy Costs with Chapman
Indiana weather is nothing if not unpredictable, but your indoor comfort doesn’t have to be. By understanding the recommended thermostat settings for summer and winter, you can enjoy a more energy-efficient home, lower utility bills, and better year-round comfort.
Whether you need a new programmable or smart thermostat, an HVAC system tune-up, or a zone control system for more targeted comfort, the experts at Chapman Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical are here to help. We’ve served central Indiana for over 40 years, helping people stay comfortable in every season.
Take charge of your comfort and energy bills. Contact Chapman today for guidance and expert service.
With a “3-season room,” you have the perfect place to enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors with your loved ones.
In the spring and summer, you can sit out with a book or open up a few of the windows to enjoy the breeze. You can watch the beauty of a thunderstorm while staying safe and dry. Then, in the fall, you can sit with a sweater and a cup of coffee and watch the leaves change colors.
However, one of the most challenging parts of maintaining your three-season room is controlling the temperature.
Without insulation, your room is just about useless in the winter. The cold may be too intense for you to stand without bundling up too much. In the summer, you may not want to open the windows because of allergies or the extreme heat. Even in the spring and fall, the fluctuating temperatures can make it difficult to maintain comfort.
Enter a ductless mini-split system. Sometimes called a ductless heating and cooling system, mini splits are the perfect answer for maintaining the temperature and comfort of your three-season room. You can almost turn your three-season room into a four-season room.
What Is a Ductless Mini Split System?
These versatile systems offer flexible heating and cooling options for individual rooms in your home, including your three-season room.
A ductless mini-split is made up of two main pieces:
- The outdoor compressor, which includes a condensing coil.
- An indoor air-handling unit, which is typically mounted on a wall.
Other than a three-season room, you’ll also find mini splits are common in garages, master bedrooms, and room additions. Like regular AC and heating systems, ductless systems need regular maintenance and service.
What Are the Benefits of a Ductless Mini Split?
There are a few benefits to having mini-splits installed in your home. A few of these are outlined below.
They Always Keep the Perfect Temperature
As the name implies, mini splits are completely independent heating and cooling systems from the rest of your home. This unique setup allows for total control and finding the perfect temperature.
A little hot in the summer? Crank up the cooling. Chilly fall evening, but still want to enjoy the outdoors? Turn on the heater. This control even gives you the ability to spend some comfortable winter afternoons in your three-season room.
They Are Cost-Effective and Energy-Efficient
Since the mini-split is controlled separately and only when you want it, you don’t have to worry about the mini-split driving up your energy bill.
Instead of cranking the central AC in hopes of cooling off the room and draining the cool air in the house, just fire up the mini-split as you need it.
They Are Quiet While in Use
A mini-split is not like a normal fan that is constantly whirring. After all, you want to enjoy your three-season room in peace and quiet without the constant, loud buzzing of a fan.
A ductless mini-split is relatively quiet and will provide that sense of tranquility you want. It is also small, compact, and on the wall. That means no maneuvering around a bulky box fan or tripping over cords.
They Are Easy to Install
Another benefit of using a mini-split in your three-season room is how easy the installation process is. With traditional heating and cooling systems, extensive ductwork and space-consuming central units are required.
Ductless mini-split systems, on the other hand, only have a few components (outdoor unit, indoor unit, and conduit that connects them). Overall, this saves homeowners time, money, and hassle during installation.
They Improve Air Quality
Not only do these systems provide cost-effective temperature control, but they also help improve the air quality in your Indianapolis home. Since there is no ductwork that can become clogged and dirty over time, there is a smaller chance of dust, allergens, or other debris accumulating inside the ducts and causing respiratory issues.
Plus, many ductless mini-split systems have air filtration systems that can trap and remove harmful particles from the air, such as dust, mold, and bacteria.
Ready to upgrade your three-season room or thinking about putting one in in time for summer? Take advantage of the temperature comfort and control that only a ductless mini split can provide.
Call your friends at Chapman to help get the installation process started. We carry top-of-the-line heating and cooling products built to battle the extreme and spastic Indiana heat and cold.
