Posted: January 12, 2026
Heat pumps are one of the most efficient ways to heat and cool a home—but how you use them matters just as much as the equipment itself. Heat pumps work best when they are set to maintain a steady indoor temperature rather than constantly ramping up and down. Here in coastal Massachusetts, where winters are cold and damp and summers are warm and humid, a few smart adjustments can make a big difference.
Knowing the right temperature settings will help you stay comfortable while keeping energy use and utility bills in check.
Keeping your heat pump set to a consistent temperature in winter is key. During the colder months, the most efficient temperature setting for a heat pump is typically between 68°F and 70°F when you’re home and awake. Unlike with a traditional furnace or boiler system, turning the thermostat way down at night or while you’re away is not a good way to save money. With a heat pump, those large temperature changes force the system to work harder—and less efficiently—in order to recover.
Our winter temperatures can swing quickly and drastically. If your home feels chilly, try increasing the temperature by a degree or two rather than making big jumps. Many homeowners find that lowering the thermostat by 2 to 3 degrees at night or during the workday strikes a good balance between comfort and efficiency without overtaxing the system.
If your home has an auxiliary or backup heat source, keeping temperature changes gradual also helps prevent that backup heat from kicking on unnecessarily, which can significantly increase energy use.
In summer, the recommended efficient setting for cooling with a heat pump is around 75°F to 78°F when you’re home. Our summers may not always be scorching, but humidity can make indoor spaces feel sticky and uncomfortable. Heat pumps do an excellent job of dehumidifying when they run for longer, steady cycles—so you should avoid frequent temperature swings in summer, too.
If you’re away during the day, raising the thermostat by 3 to 5 degrees can reduce energy use without sacrificing comfort when you return. Ceiling fans and good air circulation can also help you feel cooler at higher thermostat settings, letting you save energy without noticing the difference.
Programmable or smart thermostats can be especially helpful for heat pump systems, because they can make small, gradual adjustments that match your routine automatically. Many modern systems even adapt to weather patterns, as well as learning how quickly your home heats or cools and adjusting automatically for maximum efficiency.
Atlantic-Pratt has a century of experience installing, maintaining and repairing heating and cooling systems, including heat pump systems.
Find out why more of your South Shore neighbors trust our knowledgeable and highly trained service with all their home heating (and cooling!) needs. Contact us for more information and to become a customer today.