Don't set your thermostat higher than the desired temperature. It will not make your home warm up any faster. Make sure your thermostat is on an inside wall away from windows and doors where a cold draft could make your furnace run harder than necessary. If you do not have a heat pump, you can lower your thermostat by 5 to 8 degrees if you're going to be away from your house for several hours. If you do have a heat pump, however, set your thermostat and leave it.
Heat pumps operate most efficiently when the thermostat remains the same.
If you're going to be away for a few days, lower the thermostat, but don't turn the heat off. A cold snap could freeze your pipes. Let household activities such as cooking, laundry and bathing help heat your home and add moisture to the air. Use exhaust fans sparingly. Electric space heaters are efficient only for heating one room.