The ScienceBehind Smart Thermostat Savings

How Much Can You Really Save with Temperature Setbacks? The Science Behind Smart Thermostat Savings

As energy costs continue to rise, more homeowners are asking: "Does lowering my thermostat actually save energy—and if so, how much?" The answer is yes—but the relationship isn't as simple as you might think.

Why Temperature Setbacks Work (But Not Linearly)

Heating costs depend on how quickly your home loses heat—and that rate is directly tied to the difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures (ΔT). The bigger the gap, the faster heat escapes.

This means:
✅ Lowering your thermostat reduces energy use
⚠️ But savings don’t scale evenly—each additional degree saves slightly less than the last

Think of it like a car’s fuel efficiency: Driving 10 km/h slower on the highway saves gas, but the benefit shrinks as you go slower and slower.

The Rule of Thumb: How Much Can You Save?

Research and field data show that for every 1°C (1.8°F) you lower your thermostat for 8+ hours, you can expect:
 ~1–3% savings on heating costs

Example Scenarios:

• Setback 2°C overnight? → ~2–6% savings

• Setback 4°C while at work? → ~4–12% savings

Real-world results vary based on:

• Your home’s insulation

• Local climate extremes

• HVAC system efficiency

What’s the "Sweet Spot" for Setbacks?

Going too extreme (e.g., turning heat off completely) can backfire—frozen pipes, moisture issues, and your system working harder to reheat.

Our recommendation:
 Aim for 16–18°C (60–65°F) during sleep/away times
Smart thermostats optimize this automatically, adjusting for weather and your schedule

The Bottom Line

Temperature setbacks do save energy—just not in a straight-line way. With smart adjustments, you can cut heating costs by 5–15% annually without sacrificing comfort.

Want to maximize savings? Explore our smart thermostats for effortless, optimized heating control.

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✔ Product tie-in – Naturally leads to your smart thermostat solutions

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