Thermostat dead band for heating represents the range of temperatures below the set point at which the thermostat does not call for heat. For example, at a 70-degree set point and a 2-degree dead band, the temperature will drop to 68 degrees before heating is activated, raising the temperature back to 70. It may also be referred to as the throttling range or differential. It operates similarly for cooling, allowing the temperature to rise a number of degrees equal to the dead band before cooling is activated.