What is the Best Temperature for Your Heater in an Arizona Winter?

Published: September 26, 2025

When you think of Arizona, you probably picture scorching summers and sunny skies. While that’s true for much of the year, residents know that an Arizona winter brings its own unique chill. As the days shorten and the desert nights grow colder during December, January, and February, the familiar hum of the air conditioner is replaced by the warmth of a heater. This shift often brings a critical question to the forefront for homeowners: What is the best temperature to set my heater in an AZ winter to stay comfortable without seeing a spike in my energy bills?

Finding that perfect balance is key. Set it too high, and your electricity costs can climb unexpectedly. Set it too low, and your home might not feel like the cozy refuge it should be. As Arizona’s energy experts, Solar Topps is here to provide a comprehensive guide. We’ll explore the ideal thermostat settings for the unique Arizona climate, explain how factors like your home’s insulation and local utility rates play a role, and reveal how a solar energy system can help you maintain perfect comfort while keeping energy usage to a minimum. This guide will help you navigate the season with confidence, ensuring your home remains a warm haven all winter long.

Understanding the Uniqueness of an Arizona Winter

Unlike states with harsh, prolonged winters, Arizona’s cold season is milder and more variable. A winter day in Phoenix might be pleasant enough for a t-shirt, but once the sun sets, desert temperatures can drop dramatically. This means your heating needs can change significantly within a single 24-hour period.

Phoenix Winters Are Cold, Dark, and Dry

The average home temperature in winter can fluctuate, but most people find comfort in a specific range. However, what feels comfortable in a humid, snowy climate might feel different in Arizona’s dry air. The lack of humidity can make the air feel cooler than the thermostat reading suggests, prompting some to turn the heat up higher than necessary.

Keep Your Winter Energy Bills in Check with a Solar Energy System

This is where understanding your thermostat and your home’s energy dynamics becomes crucial. Simply cranking up the heat isn’t just inefficient; it’s a costly reaction to a temporary dip in temperature. A smarter approach involves strategic temperature management that adapts to the day’s rhythm, keeping you comfortable while keeping your energy bills in check.

The Magic Number: Best Temperature for Your Heater in Winter

So, what is the best temperature to set your thermostat in winter to save money? According to ENERGY STAR, the recommended temperature for your thermostat when you are home and awake during the winter is 68 degrees Fahrenheit.

Is 68 Degrees Cold?

Is 68 degrees cold? For some, it might feel a little brisk at first, especially if you’re used to a warmer setting. However, 68°F is widely considered the sweet spot for balancing comfort with energy efficiency. At this temperature, your heating system works to counteract heat loss through your home’s walls, windows, and doors without having to run constantly. It provides enough warmth to take the chill out of the air while preventing the wasteful overheating that drives up utility costs.

Let Your Thermostat Stay at 68 Degrees

Remember, every degree you raise your thermostat above 68°F can increase your heating costs by a noticeable percentage. Dressing in layers, using blankets, and enjoying warm beverages are simple, effective ways to feel cozier without touching the dial.

Optimizing Your Thermostat for Night and Away Times in Phoenix

Your heating needs aren’t static; they change depending on the time of day and whether you’re home. To maximize savings, you need a strategy that reflects your lifestyle.

Best Temperature for the Heater on an Arizona Winter Night

When you’re asleep and bundled under blankets, your body doesn’t require the same level of ambient warmth. Lowering your thermostat at night is one of the most effective ways to cut energy costs without sacrificing comfort.

The U.S. Department of Energy suggests turning your thermostat back 7-10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours a day can save you up to 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills. For an Arizona winter, this means if your daytime setting is 68°F, you could set it to between 58-61°F at night. Your body will naturally adjust, and you’ll likely sleep just as soundly while your heater gets a well-deserved break.

What to Set Your Thermostat to When You’re Away

The same logic applies when no one is home. There is no reason to heat an empty house to 68°F. Before you leave for work or head out for an extended period, lower the thermostat to a similar range of 58-61°F. This simple action prevents your heating system from running unnecessarily, leading to significant savings over the course of the winter.

Manually adjusting the temperature every time you go to sleep or leave the house can be tedious. This is where programmable and smart thermostats become invaluable tools for any energy-conscious homeowner.

• Programmable Thermostats: These devices allow you to create a preset schedule for your heating system. You can program it to lower the temperature automatically at bedtime and raise it just before you wake up, ensuring you never have to walk into a cold house.
• Smart Thermostats: Taking it a step further, smart thermostats learn your habits and can even adjust based on whether you’re home or away, often using your smartphone’s location. You can control them remotely, giving you complete command over your home’s climate from anywhere.

Investing in one of these devices automates the process of energy savings, making it effortless to maintain the best temperature for your heater in the winter.

Your Utility Company and Winter Rates with APS and SRP

In Arizona, your electricity provider plays a significant role in your winter energy costs. Companies like Arizona Public Service (APS) often have different rate structures for winter and summer months. Understanding these rates is essential for managing your bills effectively.

APS winter rates, for example, are structured differently from their summer rates. While summer rates often feature on-peak and off-peak hours with higher charges during the hot afternoons, winter rates may have a different structure. It’s crucial to review your specific plan. Some plans may still have peak hours in the early morning or evening when energy demand is high.

Knowing when these peak hours occur allows you to be more strategic. For instance, you could pre-heat your home during off-peak hours and then lower the thermostat during the more expensive peak periods. Aligning your heating schedule with your utility’s rate plan is a powerful strategy for saving money. You can also pay attention to your SRP Winter Rates.

How Solar Panels Help in an Arizona Winter

A common misconception is that Arizona solar panels are only useful during the long, sunny days of summer. However, solar panels are a powerful asset during an Arizona winter, helping you manage heating costs and maintain a comfortable home temperature.

Here’s how solar panels help in winter:

1. Consistent Energy Production: Arizona is renowned for its abundant sunshine, and that doesn’t stop in the winter. While the days are shorter, there are still plenty of clear, sunny days. Your solar energy system will continue to generate clean electricity, directly powering your home’s heating system and other appliances.
2. Offsetting Higher Electricity Usage: Heating, whether through a heat pump or an electric furnace, consumes a significant amount of electricity. The power generated by your solar panels directly offsets this consumption. Instead of pulling expensive electricity from the grid, you use the free, clean energy produced on your own roof.
3. Net Metering Benefits: During sunny winter days, your system may produce more electricity than your home is using. With net metering programs, this excess energy is sent back to the grid, and you receive credits on your utility bill. These credits can then be used to cover the cost of electricity you pull from the grid at night or on cloudy days. This process effectively lowers your overall energy bill, even when your heater is running.
4. Energy Independence and Stability: Relying on your own solar energy system gives you a greater degree of independence from fluctuating utility rates. While others may worry about APS winter rates, solar homeowners can enjoy a warm, comfortable home with more predictable and lower energy costs.

As a premier solar engineering firm, Solar Topps designs and installs premium solar energy systems precisely engineered for Arizona’s unique climate. Our systems are built to deliver optimal performance year-round, ensuring that you can set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature without dreading the monthly bill.

Paving the Path to Energy Savings with Solar Topps

Finding the best temperature for your heater in an Arizona winter is the first step toward a more comfortable and cost-effective season. By setting your thermostat to 68°F when you’re home, lowering it at night and when you’re away, and understanding your local utility rates, you can take significant strides in managing your energy consumption.

However, for those looking for a truly comprehensive and long-term solution, embracing solar power is the smartest way to go. A solar energy system from Solar Topps empowers you to take control of your energy future. You can enjoy a perfectly heated home, secure in the knowledge that you are powered by clean, renewable energy generated right on your rooftop. Don’t let high winter heating bills leave you in the cold. Contact Solar Topps today for a free consultation and discover how we can help you achieve ultimate comfort and energy independence.