Why HVAC experts recommend a steady thermostat routine during chilly fall mornings

Autumn can be tricky because temperatures often swing widely over the course of one day.

Choosing a thermostat setting in the fall can be difficult because a morning chill may give way to a mild afternoon. Based on HVAC advice summarized by Hunker, a common approach is to keep the heat near 68 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, then lower it when less warmth is needed so comfort does not come with a higher utility bill.

What to know

In a roundup, Hunker looked at the fall shoulder season, when indoor heating needs can change from a cold morning to a warmer afternoon. Among the recommendations it gathered, 68 degrees Fahrenheit emerged as the standard daytime setting when heat is necessary.

Hunker cited HVAC expert Kim Lincoln, who spoke to Real Simple, along with broader guidance from heating and cooling companies. Taken together, the advice presented 68 degrees as a practical middle ground between comfort and energy savings.

That does not mean every household will choose the same number. Local weather and personal preference can make a setting anywhere from 64 to 70 degrees a reasonable option without necessarily driving up the utility bill.

Because fall is a transitional season, experts suggest treating it differently from full winter heating. A moderate setting can keep a home comfortable without making the system work harder than needed.

More context

Autumn can be especially challenging because temperatures may change dramatically within a single day. A cold morning followed by a sunny afternoon often leads people to keep adjusting the thermostat.

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Hunker’s summary said that frequent thermostat changes can put strain on the system while still failing to create even comfort throughout the home. Repeatedly raising or lowering the setting does not automatically produce a better result.

The thermostat is only one part of the picture. Humidity and the overall feel indoors also matter when making small changes, especially in a season when conditions can shift within hours.

Handled well, a fall thermostat routine can reduce wasted energy while keeping the home comfortable during a season that rarely stays steady for long.

What can be done?

One way to handle the variability is to rely on a schedule instead of reacting to every change in temperature. Mike Naughton, founder and CEO of Integrity Energy, told Martha Stewart, “At night, or when you’re away for an extended period, you can lower the temperature a few degrees to save energy while keeping the home comfortable.”

Hunker paired that advice with a more specific rule of thumb: lowering the thermostat by about seven to 10 degrees overnight and whenever the house is empty is a common way to save energy and cut costs.

The same routine can also work outside the fall season. Small, planned adjustments rather than repeated large ones can help keep bills down while giving the heating system a more predictable workload.

Kim Lincoln, an HVAC expert, summed up the approach in Real Simple: “I recommend setting the thermostat near 68 degrees Fahrenheit when heating is needed, making modest adjustments when sleeping or away, and letting indoor comfort and humidity guide you.”

Where can I learn more?

For more ways to keep heating costs under control, these stories examine thermostat settings, furnace choices, repair timing, and seasonal demand.

• A New York utility says a 65-degree setting could cut heating use by 15%.

• Homeowners trying to reduce oil costs are urged to heat the bed, not the air.

• One homeowner avoided replacing a 1962 Lennox after one thermostat setting stopped long furnace cycles.

• In Massachusetts, early heating-aid demand jumps as HVAC firms warn against repair delays.

• Higher variable-furnace quotes leave one homeowner weighing comfort versus savings before replacing equipment.