MythBusters: Setting Your Home Thermostat
Fact: The thermostat isn’t like the gas pedal on a car. It’s either calling for heat or not, so setting the thermostat too high may cause you to overshoot the desired temperature.
Myth: The kids will kick off the covers and get cold.
Fact: Children older than a month or two can regulate their body temperature just like adults, so they don’t need a different temperature than adults. If they kick off the covers, dress them a bit warmer prior to putting them to bed.
So what should you set your thermostat to? Polling a number of energy company websites, the consensus is 68°F (or the temperature your health care professional recommends) during times when you are present and active. When you go to sleep, set the thermostat at the lowest comfortable setting.