Maintaining an energy-efficient home during the cold months is a priority for many PG&E customers. This article distills practical, evidence-based thermostat settings and best practices to balance comfort with savings. It covers recommended temperatures, smart thermostats, program options, safety considerations, and strategies to minimize energy waste while staying warm through winter.

Understanding Recommended Winter Thermostat Settings

Optimal winter settings strike a balance between comfort and energy use. For many homes, the U.S. Department of Energy suggests a thermostat around 68°F (20°C) when people are awake and at home. Lowering the temperature when asleep or away can yield substantial savings. PG&E and other utility programs commonly reference similar guidelines tailored to individual routines and equipment efficiency.

Key winter targets

When home and awake: 68°F (20°C).
When away for work or errands: 60–65°F (15–18°C).
During sleep: 60–65°F (15–18°C) to reduce heat loss and maintain sleep comfort.

For homes with older insulation or single-occupant spaces, consider slightly higher daytime settings if drafts or cold floors are a concern, and use zoning if available to avoid heating unused rooms.

PG&E Programs and Tools To Support Winter Heating

PG&E offers programs and equipment that help customers manage heating more efficiently. While program availability can vary by location, several common options support winter energy management:

Smart Thermostats: Compatible devices can learn patterns, adjust to occupancy, and optimize HVAC operation. Many PG&E customers qualify for rebates or incentives.
Time-Of-Use (TOU) Rates: In TOU plans, electricity costs vary by time of day. Shifting heating to cheaper periods can lower bills without sacrificing comfort.
Peak Houring and Demand Reduction: Some programs encourage reduced usage during peak hours, especially on extremely cold days.
Home Energy Audit Rebates: Audits can reveal insulation gaps and duct leaks that affect heating efficiency.

To verify current options, visit PG&E’s official energy efficiency and rebates pages or contact a PG&E representative. Programs and rebates change; always confirm eligibility and terms before purchasing equipment.

Winter Comfort And Efficiency Strategies

Beyond fixed temperatures, several practices can improve comfort and reduce energy use.

Use programmable schedules to align heating with daily routines, lowering setpoints during predictable gaps in occupancy.
Apply thermostat setbacks gradually (e.g., drop 2–3°F during the first hours away, then another 2–3°F overnight) to avoid large recoveries that consume more energy.
Leverage smart thermostats for occupancy sensing, learning your patterns, and remote adjustments via mobile apps.
Seal drafts and improve insulation to reduce heat loss and maintain comfort at lower temperatures.
Maintain HVAC equipment—replace filters every 1–3 months, inspect ducts for leaks, and schedule routine maintenance.

Real-world testing shows that consistency in thermostat programming often yields better savings than sporadic manual changes. A well-configured schedule reduces cycling losses and maintains steady comfort.

Smart Thermostats: Benefits And How To Use Them In Winter

Smart thermostats can deliver noticeable savings in winter by optimizing heat delivery and leveraging occupancy data.

Adaptive schedules learn your routines, reducing heating when home occupancy is low or absent.
Remote control allows adjustments when plans change, avoiding energy waste from forgotten heat running.
Energy insights show usage patterns, enabling targeted improvements in behavior and settings.
Zoning compatibility supports multi-zone homes, directing heat to occupied areas and trimming unused spaces.

When selecting a smart thermostat, verify compatibility with the existing HVAC system, the availability of energy-saving modes, and access to rebates through PG&E or third-party programs.

Energy Savings Through Day-Night And Weekend Scheduling

Occupancy patterns—workdays, weekends, and holidays—often differ. Tailoring schedules to these patterns yields meaningful savings without sacrificing comfort.

Weekdays: Start heating just before wake time, then lower during the workday.
Weekends: Maintain a comfort baseline for longer periods or adjust gradually if the house is unoccupied.
Seasonal transitions: Fine-tune setpoints as outdoor temperatures fluctuate; use outdoor weather data to inform internal temperatures.

These practices minimize temperature fluctuations and reduce the furnace cycling frequency, which can improve system efficiency and longevity.

Budgeting, Safety, And Practical Tips

Budget-conscious households should balance comfort with safety and long-term savings.

Avoid extreme swings in temperature, which can tax the heating system and create cold spots.
Prioritize insulation upgrades and sealing before maximizing thermostat changes; insulation improvements provide ongoing savings.
Protect vulnerable spaces like bedrooms and living rooms with consistent, moderate heat to prevent frozen pipes in extremely cold weather.
Track energy use through PG&E tools or smart thermostats to identify savings opportunities and adjust strategies accordingly.

Smart budgeting also involves understanding TOU rates. Heating during off-peak periods can significantly reduce bills, particularly on high-demand winter days.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

Several missteps can erode potential savings.

Overheating the home to compensate for drafts or poor insulation.
Neglecting maintenance on furnaces or heat pumps, which reduces efficiency.
Not using programmable features on thermostats, leading to constant, unnecessary heating.
Ignoring wind and insulation improvements, which often yield higher returns than thermostat tinkering alone.

By combining smart settings with home improvements and program incentives, homeowners can achieve stable comfort and lower annual energy costs.

Quick Start Guide For PG&E Customers

To implement efficient winter heating quickly, use the following steps:

Check eligibility for PG&E rebates and TOU plans.
Install a compatible smart thermostat if not already in place.
Program a baseline schedule: home awake 68°F, away 60–65°F, sleep 60–65°F.
Enable energy-saving features: auto-away, adaptive scheduling, and weather adjustments.
Schedule a home energy audit to identify insulation or duct issues.
Review bills after 1–2 months to assess impact and adjust settings.

These steps offer a practical path to improved comfort and lower energy costs during winter for PG&E customers.