One of the main elements in creating a comfortable environment for guests in your home is nailing the perfect thermostat temperature. Getting it right can be dependent on a number of factors, including the season, whether it’s daytime or nighttime, and, perhaps most importantly, your guests’ personal preferences.

Here, we discuss how to find the perfect temperature for each of these scenarios as well as how to maximize the efficiency of your heating and cooling system through the use of a climate schedule.

Seasonality and Time of Day

During the winter months, guests will likely be more bundled up than in the summertime. This means you might be comfortable indoors with a slightly lower temperature of around 68°F to 72°F during the day and 62°F to 66°F overnight.

A four-degree temperature swing can seem fairly broad, but it’s important to keep in mind the preferences of your guests. If your visitors prefer the ambience of sitting fireside with a blanket and a mug of hot cocoa, you might opt for the lower range of temperatures. But if your guests catch a chill more easily, you might skew toward the warmer end of that spectrum. Check with your guests to see how they’re feeling and adjust your thermostat accordingly. Just beware of too many temperature adjustments as this can affect the efficiency of your heating or cooling unit.

When summer temperatures hit, guests will probably want to take a reprieve from the heat indoors. That means ensuring your house stays at a comfortable temperature, while also considering warm-weather wardrobes. Sundresses, shorts, and short sleeves are ideal for scorching days but might make a low temperature indoors a bit more uncomfortable. To maximize the energy efficiency of your air conditioner, aim to set your thermostat between 72°F to 76°F during the daytime and 68°F to 72°F at night.

Short Visits vs. Extended Stays

The comfort of your guests should be a top priority, particularly if they’re only staying for a few hours. After all, adjusting your thermostat for the afternoon isn’t going to bust your energy bill for the month. If you’ll have a houseful of guests or will be cooking all day you’ll probably need to bring your thermostat down a couple of degrees to account for the added warmth.

For overnight guests, tailor your thermostat settings to meet their needs without sweating out the rest of the family (or sending your home’s energy efficiency spiraling). Check in with your guests both during the day and before calling it a night to see how they’re doing temperature-wise. Adjust your thermostat if necessary, but also consider other factors that can create a more comfortable environment before you start toggling temps.

Guest Preferences

While maintaining your guests’ comfort should be a top priority when considering thermostat settings, there are ways to make it work should you find yourself in a true balancing act. A space heater, fireplace, or simply cozy blankets can all help maintain a warm, comfy environment for guests without cranking up the thermostat too high. During the summertime, ceiling fans, plenty of cool drinks, and even a menu that doesn’t require heating an oven or stove can all help keep your guests and home cool and comfortable.

Ensure guest rooms are stocked with plenty of extra blankets during the winter and, if not a ceiling fan, a portable fan for the summer to make their sleep environment even more suitable to their preferences.

Tips for Balancing Comfort with Energy Efficiency

Opt for a programmable thermostat. A smart thermostat can pick up on your habits and plan a schedule accordingly. This can help you effortlessly handle maximizing your home’s heating and cooling in an energy-efficient way though you can certainly override it when you need to stray from the norm (i.e. when guests are visiting or staying over).

Change your thermostat settings for the daytime and nighttime. Your thermostat should be adjusted based on whether you and your guests are awake or sleeping. While warmer temperatures are tolerated during summer days, cranking the thermostat down to ensure proper sleeping conditions is typically preferred. The same can be said of the winter months. Oftentimes a warmer temperature during the day is preferred while nighttime is more comfortable when the house cools off a bit.

Make temperature increases or decreases gradually. Drastic swings in thermostat settings can wreak havoc on your heating and cooling systems as well as your energy bills. Gradually increase or decrease the temperature by one- or two-degree increments to find the ideal setting without over- or under-correcting.