You may have heard the rumor: does your thermostat break if it’s 68 degrees? The short answer? No, it won’t break just because it’s set to 68. But there’s more to it. Setting your thermostat to 68 can impact your energy bills, your heating system, and your comfort at home. So, let’s break it all down in this blog.
What Happens When You Set Your Thermostat to 68?
Most people set their thermostat settings based on how they feel. If you’re warm, you drop it. If you’re cold, you bump it up. Setting it to 68 degrees is actually common in cooler weather. It’s not dangerous. Your thermostat won’t just give up and stop working. But your heating system operates more often at lower temperatures outside. That means more work for your heating and cooling system.
The Truth About 68 Degrees & Your HVAC System
Here’s what really happens. When it’s cold outside, and you set your thermostat to 68 degrees, your heating system kicks in to warm your home to that temperature.
If temperatures outside are extremely low, your furnace or heat pump might work longer to reach that number. That doesn’t mean something is broken or needs repair. It just means your HVAC system is doing its job.
But, if your air conditioning or heating system runs nonstop, it may be time to look for leaks or check your insulation. Sometimes, the problem isn’t the thermostat setting—it’s how well your home holds heat.
Is 68 Degrees a Good Setting?
Honestly, it depends on you or your comfort level. 68 degrees is considered a comfortable temperature. It strikes a balance between energy efficiency and comfort.
In the cold winter, lowering your temperature settings to 68 while you’re awake can actually help with saving energy. And at night, you might want to go lower for even more energy savings.
During the summer season, setting the temperature to a cooler level than needed can spike your energy bills. So it all comes down to when and how you adjust temperatures inside your home.
Energy Tips for Your Thermostat
Want to save money without sacrificing the comfort inside your home? Try a programmable thermostat or one of those newer smart thermostats. They allow you to set schedules so the temperature of your home adjusts automatically throughout the day.
That means you don’t have to think about it. It also means lower energy consumption. And yes, it helps keep your energy bills from getting out of hand.
How Temperature Settings Impact Energy Use
Here’s something you don’t always realize. Your temperature settings affect how much energy your HVAC system uses.
The further your interior wall temperature is from the outdoor temperatures, the harder your heating and cooling system has to work. That extra effort shows up as higher energy bills.
So, the smaller the gap between your indoor and outdoor temperatures, the better for your energy efficiency. When it’s 20 degrees outside, and you’re asking for 75 inside, your heating bills will surely rise. But if it’s 20 outside and you ask for 68, your heating system won’t have to work quite as hard.
Can 68 Degrees Cause a Freeze-Up?
Some people ask if setting it to 68 could freeze up your HVAC system. That mostly applies to the cooling system, not the heating system.
If you’re running your air conditioner and set it too low—say 60 degrees—on a chilly winter day, you might run into problems. Your HVAC unit could freeze, especially if humidity control isn’t great.
But 68 degrees isn’t generally low enough to cause that. Just make sure you’re not trying to cool your house below the temperature that is outside. That confuses your HVAC system and leads to trouble.
What About Summer Settings?
In the summer, 68 might feel like a nice cooler temperature. However, the Department of Energy suggests that 78 degrees is a better temperature.
Why? The closer the temperature of your home is to the outdoor temperatures, the more you’re saving energy.
So, if you want to save money and stay comfortable in the summer, don’t go too cold with your air conditioning. Stick with higher temperature settings when you’re not home and let your cooling system rest.
Does a Thermostat Break From Too Many Adjustments?
It’s rare. Your thermostat is engineered to handle a lot of changes. You can adjust temperatures as needed throughout the day and night.
But constant flipping—say, from 68 to 75 to 62—can confuse your heating and cooling system.
Especially if you have an older programmable thermostat that’s not so smart.
Upgrading to smart thermostats can help, though. They learn your habits and make the changes for you, keeping things steady. That also helps with energy consumption and energy savings.
Best Places to Put Your Thermostat
Did you know placement matters? Your thermostat should be on the interior wall of your home, away from direct sunlight, windows, and vents.
That helps give a more accurate reading of the temperature of your home. If it’s placed somewhere too cool or too warm, it might think your house is colder or hotter than it actually is.
That leads to bad reads and more work for your heating system or air conditioner.
Should You Leave It at 68 All the Time?
Not necessarily. It’s okay to set your thermostat to 68 during the day, especially when you’re home.
But when you leave your home or go to sleep, consider going a bit higher in the summer and a bit lower in the winter.
This is where programmable thermostats or smart thermostats shine. They can do this automatically, so you get the benefit of saving energy without thinking about it. Even small changes can lower your energy bills.
What If Your System Struggles at 68?
If your heating system or cooling system struggles to hold 68, it’s worth getting it checked by professionals.
You could have a low refrigerant, clogged filter, or just an old unit.
In some cases, your heat pump might not be big enough for your home.
But the problem isn’t the temperature setting—it’s how your HVAC system handles it. You might also want to check for poor insulation, drafts, and old windows. Sometimes, the house is the issue, not the thermostat.
Final Thoughts: Is 68 a Safe Setting?
Absolutely yes.
So, does your thermostat break if it’s 68 degrees? NO. That number is totally safe. It won’t mess with your hvac system. It won’t break anything. And if you manage your temperature settings wisely, you’ll even save money.
Use a programmable thermostat or upgrade to smart thermostats. Keep an eye on your energy consumption. And remember: comfort is personal. If 68 feels good to you, go for it.
Just don’t forget to give your cooling system a break now and then. It’ll help with your cooling system, heating bills, and long-term energy savings.
Need Help with Your Thermostat? Call Green Street HVAC!
Wondering if your thermostat breaks if it’s 68 degrees? While that’s generally a normal setting, your HVAC system might need a little attention to keep your home’s temperature steady and energy-efficient.
Green Street HVAC offers expert thermostat repair and installation, routine hvac maintenance, and even high-tech smart home products to help you stay comfortable year-round.
We also provide duct cleaning, dryer vent cleaning services, aeroseal ductwork sealing, and ductwork repair. We serve homes and commercial buildings all across Tennessee. Call us now, and let’s get your system running right!
