How to Cut Winter Heating Costs with Smart Thermostats

According to Resideo’s Honeywell Home smart thermostat data, heating systems work the hardest in January, with HVAC heating runtimes 3x higher than any other winter month¹. With furnaces running longer and outdoor temperatures dipping to seasonal lows across much of the country, homeowners need ways to stay comfortable without overspending.

Recent projections underscore just how costly winter heating can be. The National Energy Assistance Directors Association (NEADA) estimates that the average U.S. household will spend $995 to heat its home this winter, an increase of 9.2 percent compared with last year, driven by rising energy prices and colder weather across many regions. As heating costs climb, even small inefficiencies can have a noticeable impact on monthly bills.

Because those inefficiencies can add up quickly, smart thermostats – such as next-generation models like the Honeywell Home X8S smart thermostat – offer practical, data-driven tools that help reduce waste and make winter energy use more predictable.

Here are five ways smart thermostats help homeowners keep costs down during the coldest stretch of the year.

• 1. Smarter scheduling and geofencing

Heating doesn’t need to run at full power around the clock. Using a heating schedule that effortlessly adjusts automatically based on time of day creates a predictable structure that helps reduce demand during low-activity periods. For many households, this is a simple, impactful way to improve winter heating efficiency.

Honeywell Home thermostat users save on average 22% (heating users) and 17% (cooling users) on their HVAC energy consumption when using the recommended scheduling feature consistently, for an annual estimated savings of $204². These savings come from reducing unnecessary heating during low-demand hours and optimizing the thermostat’s setpoint throughout the day, which is also why the X8S can pay for itself in as little as 13 months based if the scheduling features are used consistently.

Geofencing adds another layer of intelligence to scheduling by recognizing when users leave or return based on smartphone location. When everyone is out of the house, the X8S can automatically shift into an energy-saving “Away” mode, helping prevent the system from heating an empty home. As users travel home, the thermostat resumes the desired schedule, so comfort adjustments happen smoothly upon arrival. Together, scheduling and geofencing help homeowners maintain efficiency during busy winter routines without needing to constantly adjust settings themselves.

Example of energy-saving smart thermostat schedule.

• 2. Daily HVAC runtime reporting makes energy use easier to understand

Many homeowners only see the impact of HVAC use when their utility bill arrives, which can make it difficult to know how long their system is actually running day to day. Honeywell Home smart thermostat users can view HVAC runtime insights by day, week, month, or year in the Resideo or First Alert^® app, giving them a clearer picture of how many hours their system is operating for heating or cooling. For newer models – including the X8S, Honeywell Home ElitePRO™ smart thermostat, Honeywell Home FocusPRO® thermostat, and Honeywell Home T10+ smart thermostat  – this data is reflected within about an hour. This faster visibility helps homeowners better connect system activity with recent comfort adjustments or weather changes, rather than waiting days to see the impact.

In addition, monthly energy reports provide a higher-level view of HVAC runtime by month and compare it to either the previous month or, once enough data is available, the same month year over year. The reports also include average outdoor temperature data, making it easier for homeowners to understand how changes in their HVAC system runtime may relate to weather conditions during cost-intensive winter months.

• 3. Room and occupancy sensing to prevent winter waste

Temperature imbalances become more noticeable in winter, especially when a single hallway thermostat is responsible for regulating heat throughout the home. Optional smart room sensors on the Honeywell Home T9, T10+, X8S, and ElitePRO smart thermostats capture temperature readings from different areas, giving homeowners a clearer picture of how comfort varies from space to space. With that additional visibility, HVAC systems can help support more intentional heating patterns such as keeping living spaces more comfortable during family time in the evenings, creating a cooler bedroom environment for sleeping, or warming up a home office when working from home.

Occupancy sensing complements this by recognizing when rooms are unused and adjusting comfort settings accordingly. By easing heating in those spaces, the X8S smart thermostat helps avoid unnecessary runtime during low-activity periods and is a simple way to balance home comfort.

• 4. Support from an HVAC contractor

Winter weather – especially during the coldest months or in the event of extreme cold snaps – pushes heating systems harder than almost any other time of year. During a polar vortex, for example, HVAC systems can be under tremendous stress from continuous demand for heat, placing extra strain on components, and increasing the chance of breakdowns during the worst weather.

That’s why it pays to have a trusted professional keeping an eye on a homeowner’s system, ideally before the deep freeze hits. A timely check-up from a qualified HVAC technician can help identify worn parts, airflow issues, or maintenance needs before they become failures. Addressing these early helps reduce the risk of mid-season breakdowns, when repairs are more difficult and heating is needed most.

Additionally, homeowners can use Honeywell Home smart thermostats to track usage patterns and better understand when their system may be working harder than usual. Working with a local HVAC contractor who can evaluate the system before temperatures drop further helps ensure the equipment itself is ready for winter demands. With the homeowner’s permission, a trusted professional can be made aware of unusual system behavior or performance trends through insights from Honeywell Home smart thermostats, helping support more informed service conversations. This connected approach allows potential issues to be addressed earlier and may help reduce downtime or prevent minor issues from escalating into costly system failures or unexpected loss of comfort.

• 5. Balanced humidity to support winter comfort

Cold winter air is often dry, which can make homes feel cooler even when the heat is running. Maintaining balanced indoor humidity can help air feel more comfortable at lower temperatures, allowing some households to avoid turning the thermostat up as often while still feeling warm.

For homes with a whole-home humidifier connected to the HVAC system, a smart thermostat can control humidification as part of the broader comfort experience. When humidity is kept within a more comfortable range, air may feel warmer and less harsh on skin and sinuses, which can make cooler setpoints feel more tolerable during winter months.

Rather than working against the heating system, humidification supports it by helping indoor spaces feel more comfortable during long heating periods and reducing some of the discomfort commonly associated with dry winter air.

January’s heavy heating demand doesn’t have to lead to soaring energy bills. By combining intelligent scheduling, whole-home sensing, automated setback features, and professional-grade insights, smart thermostats like the X8S give homeowners a clearer, easier way to manage winter energy use. Even small adjustments like building a schedule or enabling “Auto Away” can create meaningful savings during the coldest stretch of the year.

This winter, explore how Honeywell Home indoor air quality solutions can help homes stay warm, improve and balance indoor air quality, reduce energy waste, and manage the home more intelligently at HoneywellHome.com. To find a professional in your local area, visit HonweywellHome.com/findapro.

¹ In January, an HVAC system runs the most in order to keep homes comfortable – more than any other month. Results are based on an analysis of data from 2024 from 2,500 Honeywell Home smart thermostats devices in the U.S. – including 500 per region.

² December 2024 Analysis – Results are based on a random sample of 6,000+ U.S. Honeywell Home ENERGY STAR ^® certified thermostat users, in 2023, who adopted a schedule routine. Compared to latest U.S. Energy Information Administration Residential Energy Consumption Survey data (2020), which reports average U.S. household HVAC costs of $625 for heating and $350 for cooling, to estimate an average annual savings of $204.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is January typically the most expensive month for home heating?

January often brings the highest heating demand of the year due to colder outdoor temperatures which require heating systems to run longer. Even small inefficiencies during this period can lead to noticeable increases in monthly energy bills.

How can a smart thermostat help reduce winter heating costs?

Smart thermostats, like the Honeywell Home X8S, help homeowners heat more efficiently through features such as guided scheduling and geofencing, daily HVAC runtime and monthly energy reports, smart room sensors, and occupancy sensing. These tools reduce unnecessary runtime while maintaining consistent comfort.

Do scheduling features really make a difference in energy use?

Honeywell Home smart thermostat users who consistently follow recommended scheduling routines see an average HVAC energy savings of 22% for heating users and an estimated annual savings of $204. 

What role do room sensors play in winter comfort?

Smart room sensors provide additional temperature visibility in different parts of the home. This helps the thermostat support more intentional heating in high-use areas and maintain a more consistent comfort experience throughout the home.

See also:

Six Ways to Use Smart Thermostats to Reduce Energy Use and Unlock Greater Savings

I'm an Energy Engineer – And This Is How I Set My Thermostat to Optimize Comfort and Energy Efficiency

Five Ways to Maximize Comfort and Help Minimize Your Energy Bill this Winter