Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2026, and that extra hour is a handy reminder to get your home ready for heating season. This 10-step checklist takes about an afternoon, costs little or nothing, and can lower your heating bill all winter while keeping your family safe.
Quick answer: When you set your clocks back on November 1, 2026, change your furnace filter, program your thermostat 7 to 10°F lower for 8 hours a day (which can cut heating bills by up to 10% a year), reverse your ceiling fans, seal drafts, and test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Why heating season matters for your energy bill
Heating and cooling are the biggest energy users in most homes. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says that in 2020, 52% of a typical household’s yearly energy use went to space heating and air conditioning (EIA). Small changes to how you heat your home add up fast.
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time on November 1, 2026 (NIST). After that, it gets dark earlier, so you turn on lights and heat sooner, often right when electricity costs the most. Want to see which steps save your family the most? Try them in our free Home Energy Simulator.
What you need
- A new furnace or HVAC filter in the right size (it’s printed on the old one)
- A step stool for ceiling fans and alarms
- Weatherstripping, a draft stopper or an old towel
- A flashlight and a tape measure for the attic
- Fresh batteries for any alarms that use them
The 10-step fall back checklist
- Change your furnace filter. ENERGY STAR recommends you inspect, clean or change filters in your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump once a month, because a dirty filter can raise energy costs and damage equipment (ENERGY STAR). Use the clock change to start a habit with How to Set a Monthly Reminder to Replace Your Furnace Filter, or look at reusable HVAC air filters.
- Set thermostat setbacks. The U.S. Department of Energy says setting your thermostat 7 to 10 degrees lower for 8 hours a day, while you’re asleep or away, can cut as much as 10% a year off heating bills (DOE). A basic programmable thermostat does this for you. See How to Install a $25 Programmable Thermostat (and Skip the $250 Smart One).
- Reverse your ceiling fans. In winter, set fans to spin clockwise on low. This gently pushes warm air that collects near the ceiling back down without making a chilly breeze. Here’s how to reverse your ceiling fan direction for winter savings.
- Seal drafts. Feel for cold air around doors, windows and mail slots. Add weatherstripping, or make a quick DIY door draft snake in 10 minutes. Don’t forget the mail slot or pet door.
- Check your attic insulation. If you can see the tops of the floor joists in your attic, you probably need more insulation. All you need is a flashlight: How to Check Your Attic Insulation with Just a Flashlight.
- Set your water heater to 120°F. Some water heaters come set hotter than most families need. Turning it to 120°F saves energy and lowers the risk of scalding. Follow How to Set Your Water Heater to 120°F Safely.
- Put lights on timers. Earlier sunsets mean more hours of lighting. Use a plug-in timer for lamps and, later, for holiday lights so nothing burns all night. See How to Set a Programmable Timer for Holiday Lights. Swap any old bulbs for LEDs while you’re at it.
- Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Heating season is when fuel-burning furnaces, water heaters and fireplaces run the most. The U.S. Fire Administration says to test smoke alarms monthly, replace 9-volt batteries at least once a year, and replace the whole alarm every 10 years (USFA). It also says to test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month (USFA).
- Give your heat pump some care. If you heat with a heat pump, clear leaves, snow and plants away from the outdoor unit, and keep its filter clean. Check your manual before using big setbacks. Some heat pumps switch on backup electric heat to warm up quickly, which can cost more than a smaller, steady setback.
- Time your energy use. On many California time-of-use plans, prices are highest from 4 to 9 p.m. On Southern California Edison’s TOU-D 4-9 PM plan, for example, winter electricity costs about 50 cents per kWh from 4 to 9 p.m. and about 32 cents in the super off-peak hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (SCE). Run the dishwasher, laundry and other big loads before 4 p.m. if you can. A free weather app can help you time energy use, too.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Cranking the thermostat way up to heat faster. Most systems heat at the same speed no matter how high you set it. You’ll just overshoot.
- Blocking vents and radiators. Furniture and long curtains over vents make your system work harder.
- Using the oven or a grill to heat your home. It’s unsafe and can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Only use equipment made for heating.
- Sealing gaps near gas appliances without advice. Furnaces and water heaters need fresh air to burn safely. Seal drafts around doors and windows, not vents and combustion air openings.
Frequently asked questions
When does daylight saving time end in 2026?
Daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, November 1, 2026, according to NIST. Clocks go back one hour, so you get an extra hour of sleep that night.
What temperature should I set my thermostat to in winter?
Pick a comfortable setting while you’re home and awake, then set it 7 to 10 degrees lower while you sleep or are away. The Department of Energy says that habit can cut up to 10% a year off heating bills.
Which way should a ceiling fan spin in winter?
Clockwise, on low speed. That pushes warm air down from the ceiling without creating a cooling breeze. In summer, switch back to counterclockwise.
How often should I change my furnace filter?
ENERGY STAR recommends checking it once a month and cleaning or changing it when it looks dirty. Homes with pets, dust or allergies may need changes more often.
See your savings
Want to know which of these steps saves your home the most? Our free Home Energy Simulator lets you test a smart thermostat, insulation, a heat pump and other upgrades using your own utility rates, and shows the bill savings and carbon cut for each one.
Related guides
- How to Reverse Your Ceiling Fan Direction for Winter Savings
- How to Set Up an Offline Smart Thermostat You Actually Own
- How to Switch to Reusable Hand Warmers for Winter
Sources
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Daylight Saving Time
- U.S. Energy Information Administration, Use of energy explained: Energy use in homes
- U.S. Department of Energy, Six Simple Steps To Save Energy and Money This Winter
- ENERGY STAR, Maintenance checklist
- U.S. Fire Administration, Smoke alarms
- U.S. Fire Administration, Test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month
- Southern California Edison, Time-of-Use rate plans
Written and reviewed by the Accessible Sustainability Alliance editorial team. Last updated October 5, 2026.
