What’s the best thermostat setting to save money in California winter? See tips
Looking to keep warm this winter without breaking your utility budget?
As winter brings dropping temperatures and cloudy skies to California, residents are turning up their thermostats and turning on their lights longer for comfort.
What’s the ideal temperature to keep your home warm without hurting your wallet?
Here’s what to know:
What is the average cost of electricity in California? Sacramento?
California residents can expect to pay higher-than-average prices when it comes to electricity bills, , according to FindEnergy.
The Golden State has the second most expensive electricity rates in the nation, with customers paying 31.8 cents per kilowatt-hour on average, the consumer energy data website found.
In comparison, energy consumers across the nation pay an average of 16.7 cents per kilowatt-hour, according to FindEnergy.
Sacramento County residents spend an average of about $154 per month on electricity, according to EnergySage.
Pacific Gas and Electric Co. bills rose several times in 2024, CalMatters previously reported.
The California Public Utilities Commission approved a PG&E rate increase that took effect in 2025 to keep Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant in San Luis Obispo County running longer.
What’s the best temperature for heating my California home?
Setting your thermostat to 68 degrees during the winter months is a good rule of thumb, Luke Warren, a technician with Sacramento heating and cooling company Ellis Heating and Air, previously told The Sacramento Bee.
Keeping the temperature inside your home between 68 and 70 degrees reduces the risk of overworking your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system, he said, and keeps costs down.
“You want to set your thermostat to the lowest temperature you can be comfortable with,” said Warren, who sets his home thermostat to 70 degrees in the winter. “It makes a huge difference in costs — setting it at 68 as opposed to 74 degrees.”
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District also recommends setting your thermostat to 68 degrees during the winter.
You should let the temperature drop below the range of 68 to 70 degrees while sleeping or away from home, the U.S. Department of Energy said on its website.
Does setting my thermostat to 68 degrees really save money?
In a word, “Yes.”
“For every degree you lower your thermostat during the winter, you can save 1% annually on your bill,” PG&E said.
People can save up to 10% a year on heating and cooling costs by being strategic with their thermostats, the U.S. Department of Energy said.
“Using a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the times you turn on the heating or air conditioning according to a pre-set schedule,” the federal agency said.
“The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall ... bill will be,” the U.S. Energy Department said.
Why are my utilities bills so high in the winter?
Cold weather and high rainfall often results in higher bills due to lower temperatures, according to Marin Clean Energy.
As temperatures drop, people will often increase their use of hot water for long showers and to prevent freezing of pipes and space heating in order to keep warm.
Additionally, gloomy skies create a greater need for lighting in your home, said MCE.
How can I save energy and keep electricity bills low?
Here are some energy-saving tips provided by SMUD to help you stay warm and keep money in your pocket:
- Clean your HVAC filters once a month during the coldest and warmest months.
- Do not block air vents.
- Replace old caulking and seal air leaks with weatherstripping around windows and doors.
- Change out air handler filters regularly.
- Replace damaged insulation and regularly check equipment.
This story was originally published December 10, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
