
Wondering about the best setting for your thermostat in Colorado? You’re not alone.
Colorado experiences a wide range of outdoor temperatures throughout the seasons, which makes it difficult to keep one steady setting. Summers can climb over 100 degrees, winters can drop below freezing, and spring weather fluctuations mean constant shifts between warm sunny days and freezing snow.
To maintain your household’s comfort without the hassle of constant thermostat adjustments, we’re sharing our tips for ideal thermostat settings.
We’ll take a look at:
- Best settings by season
- Best settings for energy savings
We’ll also review:
- The benefits of zone-controlled systems
With some practical adjustments, you can save yourself quite a bit of energy (and money!) on heating and cooling each year.
Keep your Colorado home comfortable year-round with a zone control system from Cooper Heating and Cooling. Harnessing air duct modifiers and specially placed thermostats, you’ll enjoy greater control over your home’s heating and cooling— not to mention energy savings!
Call us to schedule an estimate today: (720) 605-7270. Our friendly and knowledgeable technicians will answer all your questions and provide clear upfront pricing. All installations are backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
Best Settings by Season
A benefit of Colorado living is that we experience the beauty of all four seasons. The downside is that temperature changes can be a challenge to keep up with. Especially inside your home, where many of us have spent extra time over the past two years.
So, to help you find the best thermostat setting for maximum comfort, let’s review ideal settings by season.
Fall:
68-74 degrees Fahrenheit.
Energy.gov recommends an average indoor temperature setting of 68 degrees Fahrenheit. This works well during fall, as we transition from hot summers and into cooler winter temperatures. However, on those extra chilly autumn days and nights, you might turn your thermostat up to 72 or even 74 degrees, depending on your comfort preferences.
Winter:
70-78 degrees Fahrenheit.
When those freezing cold winter days arrive, you’re probably going to want a warmer home. For some households, this might mean setting the thermostat as high as 78 degrees. For others, that could be too hot, and the ideal setting is around 72-74 degrees. It all comes down to your personal comfort, but keep in mind that cooler temperatures means slower heat loss, which can help to reduce your energy bills.
Spring:
68-74 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sporadic springtime weather can mean cold mornings and hot summer afternoons. To accommodate the fluctuation, we recommend setting your thermostat between 68 and 74 degrees Fahrenheit. Again, this will depend on your unique comfort preferences, so take our recommendations with a grain of salt. That said, a zone-control system is particularly helpful for managing Colorado’s unpredictable spring weather. (We’ll go into more detail below.)
Summer:
68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.
When those scorching hot summer days finally come, it can be tempting to turn your thermostat down super low, but try not to put it below 68 degrees Fahrenheit. In fact, according to energy.gov, “a higher interior temperature will slow the flow of heat into your house, saving energy on air conditioning.” Even if you prefer a very cool home during summer, you might find that setting your thermostat to 70, 72, or higher still keeps you comfortable.
Best Settings for Energy Savings

Setting your thermostat back 7-10 degrees while away from home for 8 hours at a time can save you up to 10% on annual energy bills.
Like most Coloradans, you’re probably concerned about energy efficiency. The good news is that you can make some thoughtful thermostat adjustments to help you conserve energy.
For example, you don’t need to maintain the same indoor temperature while you’re away from home. After all, why pay to heat or cool an empty space that no one is using? Whether you’re at work, running a long errand, or away on vacation, we recommend setting your thermostat back roughly 10 degrees. If it’s hot outside, turn up the thermostat so your AC won’t kick on. If it’s cold out, lower your thermostat so the furnace won’t fire up.
Not only will you save energy doing this, but you can also save as much as 10% on your annual heating and cooling bills!
The Benefits of Zone-Controlled Systems
If you’re tired of household “thermostat wars,” or if you’re frustrated by needing to constantly adjust your thermostat settings, then you should definitely consider a zone control system.
Working in tandem with your forced-air system, a professional HVAC technician will modify your air ducts with “dampers.” These dampers will open and close on command, in order to direct the flow of air to different zones/rooms of your choice. Each zone will also have its own thermostat that you can adjust based on when and who is using the space.
Rather than paying to heat or cool your whole home, you can stay nice and comfortable in only the room(s) you’re using at one time. This is a win-win for comfort and savings!
Zone control systems should only be installed by trained professionals. To learn more about the installation process, including honest upfront pricing, contact Cooper Heating and Cooling today.
Interested in a Zone Control System for Your Colorado Home?
Contact the climate-control specialists at Cooper Heating and Cooling: (720) 605-7270. We’ll schedule a convenient time for a zone control system estimate. Our expert technicians will carefully assess your home’s heating and cooling system, existing ductwork, and comfort preferences. Then, we’ll share the best zone control systems for your needs and budget.
Since 1978, Cooper Heating and Cooling has proudly served Colorado homeowners with honest, energy-saving service. This means you’ll never have to worry about pushy sales tactics or spending beyond your budget. Rest assured our top priority is your happiness and comfort, as proven by our hundreds of verified 5-star reviews.
Related Reading:
- BENEFITS OF A ZONE CONTROL HVAC SYSTEM
- 5 WAYS TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS IN THE WINTER
- COLORADO WINTERIZATION TIPS

Luke Cooper is the General Manager of the Cooper Green team and son of Gary Cooper, owner and CEO of Cooper HVAC. After years in the field, Luke took his talents to management and has helped thousands of Colorado homeowners during hot summers and frigid winters. His decade of experience in the field and guiding the company makes him one of the most knowledgeable individuals in Colorado on HVAC, plumbing, electrical and other home services.
