Do you turn the thermostat up or down for cold?

If you feel cold and want the heating to warm the room, turn the thermostat up (choose a higher temperature). If you want to save energy when you’re away or asleep, turn it down. In cooling/air-conditioning mode, turning the thermostat down makes the home colder; in heating mode, turning it up makes the home warmer. Below is how to choose the right direction and setpoint for different situations.

What “up” and “down” actually do

On a modern thermostat, the number you set is the target indoor temperature (the setpoint). In heating mode, raising the setpoint (“up”) tells the system to run until the indoor temperature reaches that higher target. In cooling mode, lowering the setpoint (“down”) tells the system to cool to a lower temperature. Make sure the thermostat is on the correct mode—Heat, Cool, or Auto—so “up” or “down” does what you intend.

Choosing the right setting for common scenarios

The best direction to turn the thermostat depends on your goal—comfort, energy savings, or recovery from illness—and the season. The following list summarizes typical choices and why they work.

• It’s cold indoors and you want it warmer (winter, heating mode): Turn the thermostat up to a higher temperature setpoint (for example, 68–72°F or 20–22°C while you’re home and awake).
• You’re leaving home for several hours or more in winter: Turn it down by about 7–10°F (about 4–6°C) to save energy; avoid extreme setbacks if you have a heat pump to prevent auxiliary heat from running excessively.
• It’s hot and you’re using air conditioning (summer, cooling mode): Turn the thermostat down to feel cooler; many households target around 78°F (26°C) when home and awake, higher when away.
• You’re going to sleep: Slightly cooler settings often improve sleep quality; in winter, set heat a bit lower than daytime comfort, and in summer, set cooling a bit lower than daytime but avoid overcooling.
• You have a cold (illness): Keep rooms comfortably warm but not hot—around 68–72°F (20–22°C)—and aim for indoor humidity near 40–50% to ease congestion. Avoid overheating, which can dry air and irritate airways.

These choices balance immediate comfort with operating costs and system efficiency. Small, intentional adjustments timed to your schedule typically provide the best results.

Evidence-based temperature targets

Several organizations provide benchmarks that can guide your settings through the year. Use them as starting points and adjust to your comfort, home insulation, and HVAC type.

• Winter heating when home and awake: About 68°F (20°C). Lower the setpoint when sleeping or away for savings.
• Setbacks for savings: Dropping the setpoint by 7–10°F (4–6°C) for about 8 hours a day can reduce annual heating costs by up to roughly 10%, depending on your climate and home.
• Summer cooling when home and awake: About 78°F (26°C). Raise the setpoint when away to cut cooling load.
• Sleep and comfort: Slightly cooler at night generally supports sleep; adjust bedding and ceiling fans rather than extreme thermostat changes.
• Humidity: Aim for 40–50% relative humidity to reduce dryness in winter and stickiness in summer.

These ranges are guides, not rules. The right setting depends on your insulation, windows, HVAC system, local energy costs, and personal comfort.

Special note for heat pumps and radiant systems

Not all heating systems respond the same way to thermostat changes. The type of system you have can influence whether large temperature swings help or hurt efficiency.

• Air-source heat pumps: Large setbacks can trigger auxiliary electric resistance heat during recovery, which is less efficient. Prefer smaller setbacks (for example, 3–5°F or 2–3°C) and use built-in “smart recovery” features if available.
• Radiant floor heating: It responds slowly. Keep steadier setpoints and avoid frequent large changes.
• Furnaces and boilers: Moderate setbacks typically save energy and are fine for most systems with reasonable insulation.
• Fan setting: Use “Auto” so the blower runs only when heating or cooling is active; “On” can increase drafts and energy use unless you need continuous filtration.

Matching your thermostat strategy to your system prevents inefficiency and improves comfort, especially during temperature swings.

Step-by-step: Setting your thermostat correctly

Use the following process to ensure you’re adjusting the thermostat in the right direction and mode for your goal.

1. Check the mode: Confirm Heat for winter warming or Cool for summer cooling; use Auto if you want the system to switch as needed.
2. Adjust the setpoint: Increase the target temperature in Heat to feel warmer; decrease it in Cool to feel colder.
3. Set schedules: Program day, evening, sleep, and away periods, or use a smart thermostat’s occupancy features.
4. Avoid extreme changes: Make modest adjustments and give the system 15–30 minutes to respond before changing again.
5. Fine-tune humidity and airflow: Use humidifiers/dehumidifiers and ceiling fans to enhance comfort at efficient setpoints.

These steps help you avoid common mistakes, reduce energy use, and reach a stable, comfortable indoor climate.

If you’re sick with a cold

Thermostat choices can affect comfort and recovery when you have a cold. Warm, not hot, rooms and adequate humidity reduce throat and nasal irritation. Consider the following points.

• Temperature: Keep living spaces around 68–72°F (20–22°C). Overheating can worsen dryness and congestion.
• Humidity: Aim for 40–50% RH; use a humidifier if indoor air is very dry in winter, and clean it regularly to prevent microbes.
• Ventilation: Briefly air out rooms or run a heat-recovery ventilator to keep air fresh without big heat losses.
• Safety: If using space heaters, maintain clearance from combustibles and use tip-over protection; never leave them unattended.

Balanced temperature and humidity, plus good ventilation, generally improve comfort while you recover without spiking energy use.

Energy and cost tips

Smart adjustments can cut bills without sacrificing comfort. The ideas below are practical for most homes.

• Seal drafts and improve insulation to reduce how often you need to change the thermostat.
• Use ceiling fans clockwise at low speed in winter to gently push warm air down; counterclockwise in summer to enhance cooling.
• Leverage smart thermostats with geofencing or occupancy sensors for automatic setbacks.
• Close blinds/curtains at night in winter to reduce heat loss; open them on sunny days to capture solar warmth.

These strategies complement thermostat settings, improving comfort and lowering energy consumption year-round.

Summary

Turn the thermostat up in heating mode when you’re cold and want more warmth; turn it down to save energy when you’re away or asleep. In cooling mode, turn it down to get colder air. Aim for roughly 68°F (20°C) in winter while home and awake and about 78°F (26°C) in summer, adjusting for comfort, system type, and humidity. For heat pumps, prefer smaller setbacks. If you have a cold, keep rooms comfortably warm with moderate humidity to ease symptoms.

Do you turn the AC up or down to make it cold?

To make it colder, you should turn the air conditioner’s temperature setting down on the thermostat. While there’s a common debate on the phrasing, “turning the AC down” means reducing the degree number to achieve a lower temperature. Conversely, turning the AC “up” would increase the target temperature, making the room warmer.
 
You can watch this video to learn more about how to adjust the thermostat: 56sBaltimore RavensYouTube · Aug 19, 2025
Why the confusion?
The confusion often arises from two interpretations of “turn up” or “turn down”: 

• Temperature Setting: Opens in new tabThis refers to the number on the thermostat, where a lower number means a colder target temperature. 
• Fan Speed/Power: Opens in new tabSome people use “turn up” to mean increasing the power or fan speed, which would increase airflow, not necessarily lower the temperature. 

The Clearer Way to Adjust
To avoid ambiguity, it’s best to be precise with your language: 

• To make it colder: Opens in new tabSay “turn the temperature down” or “set the thermostat to a lower temperature”. 
• To make it warmer: Opens in new tabSay “turn the temperature up” or “set the thermostat to a higher temperature”. 

Is 72 a good temperature for winter?

Yes, 72°F (22°C) is generally considered a good, comfortable temperature for a home in winter, though it’s on the warmer side of the recommended range and may lead to higher energy bills. The ideal setting is often considered to be 68-72°F, with 68°F being a good balance for comfort and energy savings, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Adjusting your thermostat to 72°F is suitable if you get cold easily or have young children or elderly individuals at home. 
Factors to Consider

• Comfort is Subjective: What is “good” depends on personal preference. 
• Energy Savings: A lower temperature, such as 68°F, reduces energy consumption and lowers heating costs. 
• Health and Age: For vulnerable groups like the very young or elderly, the WHO recommends a minimum indoor temperature of 68°F for health and comfort. 
• Home Environment: Your home’s insulation, drafts, and weather stripping affect how warm it stays. 

Recommendations

• Set a Balanced Temperature: Aim for 68-72°F while you are home and awake, notes Carrier. 
• Adjust for Occupancy: You can set the temperature higher, like 72°F, for comfortable occupancy. 
• Consider Nighttime Settings: Lowering the temperature to around 64°F at night can help with cold tolerance and reduce energy use while you are sleeping. 
• Improve Home Efficiency: Seal drafts and insulate your home to maintain a comfortable temperature more efficiently. 

Does turning down the thermostat make the air colder?

Yes, turning the thermostat down makes a space colder; the thermostat’s role is to maintain a set temperature, and a lower setting will instruct the system to continue cooling until that target temperature is reached. While it won’t cool the space faster than its capacity, a lower setting ensures the space reaches a colder final temperature compared to a higher setting, which would have stopped the system at a warmer temperature.
 
How it Works

1. Thermostat as a Target Setter: The thermostat acts as a temperature sensor and switch, sending a signal to the air conditioner to turn on or off. 
2. Continuous Operation: When you lower the thermostat setting, you are telling the system that it should run until it reaches that new, lower temperature. 
3. Reaching the Set Point: The air conditioner will continue to operate, removing heat from the air until the indoor temperature matches the new, colder set point on the thermostat. 

Why Lowering the Setting is Necessary for Colder Temperatures

• Not a “Throttle”: The thermostat isn’t a throttle that can speed up the air conditioner’s operation to make air colder, as some people mistakenly believe. 
• Defines the Final Goal: Instead, it defines the “end goal”. A higher setting stops the process sooner at a warmer temperature, while a lower setting prolongs the cooling process to achieve a colder temperature. 

Therefore, to make a room colder, you must set the thermostat to a lower temperature, even though the rate of cooling is determined by the air conditioner’s capacity, not the setting itself.

Should you turn the thermostat up or down in the winter?

You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68°F to 70°F while you’re awake and setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home.