Small thermostat adjustments can reduce energy use and lower bills

Maria Diaz at ZDNET writes that small thermostat tweaks can lower energy costs without making a home uncomfortable.

The article says changing a thermostat by a single degree can save about 1–3% on energy costs, and that HVAC systems run longer when the gap between outdoor and target temperatures is larger. Diaz recommends modest changes — for example, setting winter temperatures to 67 instead of 70 and summer temperatures from 71 to 74 — and says moving the setpoint by three degrees can make systems run more efficiently.

Diaz also advises using wider temperature ranges when possible, suggesting ranges of at least 10 degrees and offering her own examples (sleep 61–72, daytime 60–75). For smart-thermostat users she highlights schedules (she uses day and night schedules on Google Nest), eco modes and occupancy sensors to keep temperatures efficient without constant manual adjustments.

The article notes additional options such as external room sensors (Diaz mentions SwitchBot thermometers), Matter-compatible device integrations and automations — for example, turning on heat when a bedroom sensor drops below 66 degrees — and using geolocation to adjust settings automatically when residents leave, provided location permissions are enabled.

Key Topics

Tech, Smart Thermostat, Maria Diaz, Google Nest, Ecobee, Hvac System