Cold temperatures and higher energy bills have prompted many Americans to reevaluate their thermostat settings this year. Severe winter weather events from coast to coast have forced Americans to run their heating systems continuously, leading to increased home energy bills. Now, many are grappling with the financial strain caused by these cold spells and escalating utility bills.
High energy bills are particularly unwelcome this year because most people have already seen their spending power eroded by high prices at the grocery store and gas station. Unfortunately, energy savings are elusive as the costs of natural gas and heating oil have also risen and remain near historic highs. Households can expect to pay 36% more to heat their home this winter compared to two years ago, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.
Given all of these stressors, Americans are worried about energy costs, how they use energy, and when and why they adjust their thermostat settings. This article shares data analyzed from a survey of people throughout the country to get a feel for how Americans are weathering rising energy prices.
Main Findings
- The average thermostat temperature was 70.2 degrees during winter.
- Most people (81.4%) wait to turn on their heating at a particular outdoor temperature, rather than at a specific time of year. The average outdoor temperature threshold was 50.5 degrees.
- Those without a smart thermostat were much less likely to adjust their thermostat frequently; in fact, a quarter of them reported only changing it between seasons.
- Six out of ten people say their home energy costs have gone up to some degree this year, and four in ten were “very concerned” with energy prices. Only 22% said cost was the main reason they adjusted the temperature on the thermostat.
- In the Western U.S. most people reported their energy costs were actually lower than last year, and most were “unconcerned” about energy costs.
- The highest winter thermostat temperatures were in Arizona, Florida, New Mexico, and Mississippi, which set their thermostats at over 71 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Montana, Washington, Hawaii, and Vermont kept their thermostats set lowest at under 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
What Temperature Do People Prefer?
Scientists say the ideal temperature for human bodies to function at is around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Survey findings show that for the most part people agree with the scientists.
When asked about their ideal indoor temperature, regardless of season, the average person said 69.1 degrees, while the most common response was 70 degrees. In terms of how warm people keep their homes in winter, the average person said they set their thermostat to 70.2 degrees, while the most common response was 70 degrees.
There was remarkable consistency in homeowners ideal temperatures for their homes, with no generational variation to speak of. There was very slight variation between genders, with men preferring warmer temperatures by only a few tenths of one degree.
There was more regional variation, with homeowners in the Northeast and Midwest keeping their homes an average of one degree cooler than households in the South.
Drilling down to the state level, there is a slightly wider spread in temperature preferences between locations. The highest winter thermostat temperatures were in Arizona, Florida, New Mexico, Mississippi, and South Carolina. The states where people had their thermostats set the lowest were Montana, Washington, Hawaii, Vermont, and Rhode Island.
When Do People Turn On Their Heating?
Over four out of five Americans turn their heat on when the outside temperature drops to a certain point. The rest are divided between those who wait for the first snowfall (10.4%) and those who wait for a particular month (8.3%), which is most often November.
Among that majority who have a temperature threshold, the average outdoor temperature that caused them to turn on their home heating was 50.6 degrees. Again, this was largely consistent among age groups.
However, women had an average temperature threshold that was 1.4 degrees lower than men. Women would wait until the outdoor temperature dropped below 50 degrees, and men reached to turn on the heat before it dipped to 51 degrees.
Again the colder regions of the country seem to tolerate lower temperatures better than other areas. Households in the Midwest will wait to turn on the heat until the temperature drops 3.2 degrees lower than people in the West.
State-level results were largely in line with the regional variations. Hawaii, California, Arizona, South Carolina, and Florida all turned on their heating when the outdoor temperature was 53 degrees or even warmer. Maryland, Maine, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Connecticut all waited until about 47 degrees or colder.
How Often Do People Adjust Their Thermostat?
The data showed a significant predictor of how often a household adjusts its heating was whether the home had a smart thermostat installed. A smart thermostat can adjust temperature based on whether the home is occupied, allowing you to reduce unproductive energy consumption.
The survey found that most people do not have a smart thermostat. However there was a notable difference between men and women in this regard. Only one-quarter of women own a smart thermostat, while over 43% of men own one. Nest is a common brand of smart thermostat that connects to your home’s wi-fi to function.
All of this is important because a smart thermostat offers many ways to adjust your temperature, even if you are not physically in the house. Findings show those who own a smart thermostat tend to change their thermostat more often than those who do not own one. This can have an effect on energy efficiency.
A programmable thermostat also contributes to the energy savings of a home when used properly, resulting in cost savings for homeowners.
It is important to keep in mind that changing a thermostat frequently is not a guarantee of greater energy efficiency. In fact, forcing your thermostat to climb or drop steeply, can lead to more energy use and a shorter lifespan for your HVAC system.
Energy Costs
Most people base their home heating decisions on a combination of factors. When asked about the main reason for adjusting their thermostat, the overwhelming majority cited comfort as their primary motivation.
However, many people said that saving money was their primary motivation. As noted earlier, energy costs have gone up in the past year due to inflation and volatility in global energy markets. High energy costs also come from consumers buying homes with outdated heating systems, as many people report saving money by having a new heating system installed. Whatever the reason, consumers have been noticing price hikes on their total energy consumption.
Most respondents said their energy costs have increased this year compared to last and they are not seeing energy savings.
However, the share of respondents saying their costs have gone up changed depending on which region of the country they were in.
The data shows that more people living in the Northeast and the Midwest say they are facing higher prices year over year. Meanwhile those in the South and the West are the most likely to see lower prices. This may be a result of colder regions needing more energy consumption during the winter months. In the Northeast, there are areas that heat their homes with more-expensive heating oil rather than natural gas.
These regional trends largely carry over into people’s concern about energy costs this winter. On concerns over cost, people in the South are closely aligned with colder regions.
What may be most surprising is the relative lack of concern in the Western United States about energy costs this season. In all other regions, a plurality of people were “very concerned,” while in the West the biggest group expressed they were “slightly concerned.” Even more remarkable are the one in ten Westerners who said they were “unconcerned” with energy costs this winter.
Do Americans Prioritize Comfort or Cost?
Despite the challenges posed by high energy prices, many Americans prioritize comfort over cost when it comes to heating their homes. Our survey of 3,900 people across the country reveals that most households set their thermostats around 70 degrees during winter, and only a small percentage adjust the temperature primarily to save money.
As energy costs continue to rise, it’s important to consider ways to manage expenses without sacrificing comfort. Shopping for rebates and incentives on Energy Star appliances, along with investing in smart thermostats and efficient HVAC systems, can help achieve this balance. For personalized advice and optimal energy use, consult HVAC professionals who can offer tailored solutions to meet your specific needs. By taking proactive steps, you can maintain a comfortable home environment while minimizing the impact of high energy prices on your budget.
Methodology
Today’s Homeowner surveyed roughly 3,900 American homeowners using a third-party platform to better understand their thermostat usage. Survey data for this report was collected in January 2023.
Questions about our study? Contact media@todayshomeowner.org.
Fair Use Policy
We encourage journalists and reporters to share our research on energy cost concerns and home heating habits in America. If you choose to do so, please link back to our original story to give us proper credit for our research.
