For most homes, the best thermostat setting is 68°F in winter and 78°F in summer when you’re home and awake. Adjusting the temperature while you’re asleep or away can also help lower energy use without sacrificing comfort.
This guide explains what temperature you should set your thermostat throughout the day and across the seasons. It also covers how factors like humidity, home layout, and HVAC system type can affect the ideal thermostat setting for your home.
The Ideal Thermostat Settings for Every Maryland Season
According to the Department of Energy, turning your thermostat back 7–10°F for eight hours a day can save roughly 10% on annual energy bills. BGE and PEPCO both recommend a baseline of 68°F in winter and 78°F in summer when you’re home and awake.
Use these quick-reference benchmarks to balance comfort and utility costs:
- Home and awake: 68°F for heating, 78°F for cooling
- Sleeping: 65–67°F for heating, 74–78°F for cooling
- Away (8+ hours): 60–62°F for heating, 82–85°F for cooling (only drop below 62°F if your pipes are properly insulated)
To find your ideal baseline, adjust the temperature in 1°F steps and hold each setting for two to three days before judging the results. Resist the temptation to crank the AC dramatically lower — your system moves air at a constant rate, so a bigger setpoint gap only wastes energy.
Heat pump tip: If you use a heat pump, keep winter setbacks small — just 2–3°F. Larger jumps often trigger expensive auxiliary heat strips to bridge the gap.
These numbers provide a solid starting point, but temperature alone is only half the story. In Maryland, humidity changes how the air actually feels on your skin.
How Humidity Levels Affect Your Comfort and Cooling Costs
If 75°F feels sticky, humidity is the culprit — not the actual temperature. High moisture prevents your body from cooling naturally, making the air feel much warmer than the thermostat display shows. Managing your home’s Relative Humidity (RH) lets you stay comfortable even at higher thermostat settings.
For Maryland homes, aim for these targets:
- Summer: 40–55% RH — controls mold growth and that heavy, sticky feeling
- Winter: 30–45% RH — prevents dry skin, static, and window condensation
Drier air helps sweat evaporate faster, so a 78°F setting can feel like 75°F when humidity stays in range. This lets you raise your summer setpoint and lower utility bills while protecting wood finishes. If your home struggles to hold those levels, a whole-home dehumidifier or humidifier may be the fix.
Learn more about indoor air quality solutions for your home.
A Practical Thermostat Schedule That Saves Money
Homeowners who stick to consistent setbacks — rather than random daily adjustments — save the most on energy costs. A programmable or smart thermostat makes this automatic, but even a manual thermostat works if you build the habit.
Try this simple three-block schedule:
- Home and awake: 68°F for heating, 78°F for cooling
- Away (8+ hours): 60–62°F for heating, 82–85°F for cooling
- Sleep: 65–67°F for heating. Most adults sleep best between 60°F and 67°F, so focus on bedroom comfort instead of cooling the entire house all night.
If your utility offers Time-of-Use (TOU) pricing, think of your home like a thermal battery. Pre-cool or pre-heat slightly before peak hours, then let the temperature drift while rates are highest.
Maryland residents with heat pumps should avoid winter setbacks larger than 3°F. Sharp jumps often trigger auxiliary heat strips, which are significantly more expensive to run. And even a perfect schedule can’t overcome a clogged filter — a clean system is the foundation of energy-efficient thermostat settings.
Keep your system running at peak performance with a maintenance plan.
Why Your Thermostat Might Be Giving You the Wrong Reading
Before adjusting your thermostat again, make sure it is reading the temperature correctly. Place a reliable thermometer near the thermostat and leave the HVAC system off for about 20 minutes. If the two readings are off by 2°F or more, check for common issues such as:
- Dust around the sensor
- Low batteries
- Incorrect offset or calibration settings in the thermostat menu
Thermostat placement also affects accuracy. Readings can be thrown off when the unit is installed near:
- Sunny windows
- Kitchens
- Drafty doors
In multi-story homes, heat naturally rises, which can make upper floors feel warmer than lower levels. If your home has separate zones, a 2°F difference between floors is a good place to start. If hot and cold spots continue, the problem may be related to insulation gaps or leaking ductwork rather than the thermostat itself.
Your Next Step: A 15-Minute Thermostat Plan
Getting the best temperature for heating and cooling in Maryland takes more than picking a single number. It’s a strategy that accounts for seasonal shifts, indoor humidity, and how your specific system operates. Here’s a quick plan you can start today:
- Set your baselines: 68°F for heating and 78°F for cooling while you’re home and awake.
- Automate setbacks: Program “Away” and “Sleep” blocks so daily savings happen without relying on memory.
- Monitor humidity: Aim for 40–55% RH. If the air feels sticky, indoor moisture is the problem — not the temperature.
- Stop the yo-yo: Hold new settings for three full days before making a 1°F adjustment.
- Check placement: Make sure your thermostat isn’t near drafty doors, kitchens, or sunny windows that cause false readings.
If you notice room-to-room temperature swings, a system that cycles constantly, or surprise bill spikes, it’s time for a professional look. The team at A‑C Air Care can confirm your settings, check airflow, and evaluate your system’s performance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Thermostat Settings
Is 72°F a good temperature for heat in the winter?
72°F feels great, but it can spike your winter heating bills. For a better balance, start at 68°F and bump it up 1°F at a time until the room feels right. Before reaching for the thermostat, try layering up or adding a blanket — these “warm the person” tactics prevent your system from running nonstop during Maryland cold snaps.
What is the best temperature for sleeping in the winter?
Most adults sleep best between 60°F and 67°F. If that range feels too cold at first, try lowering the temperature by one degree each night until you find your sweet spot. A cooler bedroom reduces the workload on your furnace or heat pump and helps prevent the dry-air issues that come with heavy indoor heating.
Should I turn my AC off when I leave the house?
It’s usually better to raise the setpoint to 82–85°F rather than shutting the system off entirely. In Maryland’s humid climate, turning the AC off lets moisture build up indoors, which can lead to mold and make the house feel even warmer when you return. A higher setpoint keeps humidity in check while avoiding the hours-long recovery run later.
What temperature should I keep my house at for pets or a baby?
For infants and most indoor pets, 68–72°F is a safe and comfortable range. Monitor the specific room where a baby sleeps, since nurseries can fluctuate more than the area near your main thermostat. A secondary room sensor helps keep the nursery consistent. Avoiding extreme highs or lows is critical for small children and animals who can’t regulate body heat as easily as adults.
What are aux heat and emergency heat on a heat pump?
Auxiliary heat kicks in automatically when your heat pump needs a boost during extreme cold. Emergency heat is a manual override you should only use if the outdoor unit fails — it’s much more expensive to run. To keep aux heat from triggering unnecessarily, avoid temperature jumps larger than 2–3°F at a time.
How do I know if my thermostat is accurate or compatible?
Tape a basic thermometer next to your thermostat and compare readings after 20 minutes with the HVAC off. If they differ by more than 2°F, dust the sensor, swap the batteries, or adjust the digital offset. Compatibility for a new thermostat depends on your HVAC wiring and whether you have a C-wire for smart features. If the readings are off or you’re unsure about wiring, A‑C Air Care’s technicians can handle the diagnosis and installation.