Media Contact:
Sarah Reckard, Global Communications Leader
sarah.reckard@resideo.com
Summary
The 2026 Honeywell Home Comfort Pulse survey examines U.S. homeowners’ attitudes and behaviors related to winter energy costs, home comfort, thermostats and HVAC maintenance. The survey found that 58% of homeowners are extremely or very concerned about winter energy costs. Among Honeywell Home thermostat users, 68 degrees is the most popular heating setpoint. Thermostat schedules and automated smart thermostat features can help households adjust heating around their routines, while an HVAC contractor can also check system performance, verify that the thermostat and heating system work together properly and identify potential issues before they interrupt comfort.
Honeywell Home 2026 Comfort Pulse Survey: Homeowners Turn to HVAC Pros as Winter Energy Costs Loom
New survey highlights the role HVAC contractors and connected technology can play in helping households prepare for higher winter heating costs
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Nov. 2, 2026 – With colder weather approaching, U.S. homeowners are focused on keeping heating costs under control while making sure their HVAC systems are ready for winter. Resideo Technologies (NYSE: REZI) today announced the Honeywell Home 2026 Comfort Pulse1 survey, which found that 58% of homeowners are extremely or very concerned about energy costs this winter. From intelligently responding to home comfort needs and preventative service warnings to Matter-enabled convenience, Honeywell Home smart thermostats hold the key to unlocking deeper smart home and energy efficiency benefits.
From America’s No. 1 most trusted thermostat brand, the survey shows concerns are influencing how homeowners prepare to keep their home comfortable. A majority plan to use more blankets to save on energy costs, while more than one-third expect to keep their thermostat set to a cooler temperature. Confidence does not always translate into preparedness, though: seven in 10 are confident their heating system will make it through the winter, yet fewer than half feel prepared for a breakdown during a cold spell.
“A comfortable home starts with a reliable HVAC system, but many performance issues can develop long before homeowners notice a problem,” said Pat Tessier, Vice President of Product Management at Resideo. “Not only can our latest Honeywell Home smart thermostats help homeowners be more energy efficient, they also can help HVAC contractors spot system changes early and catch small issues before they grow into costly repairs.”
Professional Maintenance Can Help Prevent Winter Surprises
Many homeowners who were surveyed recognize the value of professional service: 55% have an HVAC contractor check or service their equipment at least annually, while 18% call only when they need a specific repair and 10% never have their system professionally checked or serviced.
During a seasonal visit, a professional inspection can help uncover worn components, airflow restrictions and other issues that could affect system performance. Contractors can verify thermostat settings to help homeowners achieve greater comfort, improve energy efficiency and recommend air quality solutions to align with their lifestyle and comfort preferences.
That professional relationship can continue after the appointment. The latest Honeywell Home smart thermostats monitor HVAC system performance 24/7/365 and can alert the homeowner and their HVAC contractor to an anomaly.2 This level of early awareness can help the contractor investigate a developing issue before it requires a larger repair.
Using Smart Thermostats to Manage Energy Use
Nearly two-thirds of those surveyed say the potential to lower their energy bills would make them more likely to upgrade to a smart thermostat or replace their current one. Connected thermostat data shows the most popular setpoint for Honeywell Home devices when heating is 68°F.3 Additional ways homeowners can strategically use smart thermostats to reduce energy use and unlock savings include:
- Home intelligence: Adaptive Intelligent Recovery learns how a home heats and cools to help ensure preferred temperatures are reached at the scheduled time.
- Program temperatures: Set heating temperatures for home, away and sleep periods to avoid heating an empty house and using more energy than needed. The Honeywell Home 2026 Comfort Pulse survey found that more than half of homeowners with a smart or programmable thermostat use its scheduling feature at bedtime or when the house is empty.
- Prioritize the rooms that matter: Use Smart Sensors to monitor and manage temperatures in specific rooms, helping prioritize where people spend the most time.
- Save energy when no one's home: Use smartphone location to switch to an energy-saving, away mode when everyone leaves and resume the desired schedule as they return.
- Review HVAC system runtime: Use runtime trends and insights in the app to better understand system demand, and make informed temperature adjustments based on weather, household comfort preferences and energy-saving goals.
- Balance temperature and humidity to support comfort: Cold, dry winter air can diminish a home’s air quality. Honeywell Home smart thermostats paired with a compatible whole-home humidifier will maintain optimal humidity levels, which can help homeowners feel comfortable in lower thermostat settings.
The Honeywell Home Matter-enabled smart thermostats also integrate seamlessly with other smart home platforms including Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple Home. Learn more about Honeywell Home smart thermostats or find a local HVAC contractor at HoneywellHome.com.
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About Resideo
Resideo is a global building technologies company that is a leading developer and manufacturer of critical control and sensing solutions for residential markets. The company serves professional installers and integrators across diverse product categories, such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning controls, combustion, life safety, security and water. Its comfort and protection solutions can be found in more than 150 million residential and commercial spaces globally, with tens of millions of new devices sold annually. More information about Resideo and its trusted brands, including BRK, First Alert and Honeywell Home, is available at Resideo.com.
The Honeywell Home trademark is used under a long-term license from Honeywell International Inc. As such, Honeywell Technologies cannot validate or deny the claims made in this release.
1Honeywell Home 2026 Comfort Pulse – Results are based on the responses of 2,000 homeowners ages 18-65, living in the U.S. who completed an online survey.
2Additional HVAC service or accessories required.
3Based on an analysis of 2024-2026 data from Honeywell Home smart thermostat devices.
A professional HVAC contractor can help homeowners select and configure a Honeywell Home smart thermostat that works with their heating equipment and supports their comfort and energy-management goals.
Adjusting thermostat settings around a household’s routine can help reduce unnecessary HVAC system runtime and manage energy use without sacrificing comfort.
Optional Smart Room Sensors help Honeywell Home smart thermostats prioritize comfort in the rooms homeowners use most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Honeywell Home Comfort Pulse survey?
The 2026 Honeywell Home Comfort Pulse is a nationally representative survey examining U.S. homeowners’ attitudes and behaviors related to home comfort, thermostats, winter energy costs and HVAC maintenance. Resideo commissioned the online survey of 2,000 homeowners ages 18 to 65 in August and September 2026.
What did the 2026 Honeywell Home Comfort Pulse survey find?
The research found that 58% of homeowners are extremely or very concerned about energy costs. It also identified a preparedness gap: seven in 10 are extremely or very confident their heating system will make it through the winter, but fewer than half feel equally prepared if it stops working during a cold spell.
How do homeowners plan to save on energy costs this winter?
A majority of homeowners surveyed plan to use more blankets to save on energy costs, while more than one-third plan to keep their homes cooler and one-third plan to use thermostat scheduling. Among homeowners concerned about energy costs, more than half are changing or would change their shopping habits, and more than four in 10 would delay home renovations or other updates.
What is the most popular winter thermostat setting?
Among Honeywell Home thermostat users, 68 degrees is the most popular heating setpoint, based on connected-device data from the past three years. The right temperature varies based on the home, its occupants and outdoor conditions, but creating a thermostat schedule can help homeowners adjust temperatures around their daily routines.
How can a smart thermostat help homeowners manage winter energy use?
Smart thermostats can help homeowners create heating schedules, manage temperature setpoints remotely and reduce unnecessary heating when no one is home. Certain Honeywell Home smart thermostats also offer auto-away technology, Adaptive Recovery technology and optional Smart Room Sensors to help balance energy use and comfort.
Why should homeowners have an HVAC contractor check their heating system?
A professional inspection can help identify worn components, airflow restrictions and other issues that may affect system performance. Contractors can also verify that the thermostat and heating equipment work together properly and help homeowners configure energy-saving features.
