Programmable thermostat savings calculator
Answer three quick questions. See what a setback schedule saves you per year — in dollars, not promises.
How the thermostat savings calculator works
The math follows the Department of Energy's rule of thumb — roughly 1% saved per degree of setback held for 8 hours — applied to your own heating and cooling spend, with a conservative cap so the estimate stays honest. If you don't know your heating and cooling spend, the Bill Breakdown estimator can pull it out of your utility bills in a few minutes.
Everything runs in your browser and nothing is stored on our servers. For the schedule itself — what temperatures to pick and when — see smart thermostat settings that actually save money. And if the setback savings look small, that usually means the bigger win is the building itself — start with the attic insulation calculator.
Thermostat savings questions, answered
How much does a programmable thermostat save?
The Department of Energy estimates a 7–8°F setback for 8 hours a day saves about 10% a year on heating and cooling. For a home spending $1,500 a year on heating and cooling, that's roughly $150. Smaller setbacks or shorter windows save proportionally less, which is what this calculator models — deliberately on the conservative side.
What are the best thermostat settings for energy savings?
A common baseline is 68°F in winter while you're home and awake, set back 7–10°F while asleep or away, and 78°F in summer when home, set up a few degrees when away. The bigger the setback and the longer it holds, the more you save. Comfort is personal — the schedule you'll actually keep beats the perfect one you'll override.
Do smart thermostats really save money?
Yes, when they hold a real setback schedule you'd otherwise skip. The savings come from the schedule, not the gadget — a $30 programmable unit run consistently saves as much as a smart model. Smart thermostats earn their price when their automation (occupancy sensing, scheduling you'd never program manually) makes the setbacks actually happen.
Should I use big setbacks with a heat pump?
No — keep them small, about 2–3°F, or skip them. Recovering from a deep setback can kick a heat pump into electric-resistance backup heat, which is two to three times more expensive to run and can erase the savings. Modern smart thermostats with heat pump modes ramp gradually to avoid this.