What Are the Average Savings After Installing a Programmable Thermostat?

You have probably heard that having a programmable thermostat can lower your heating and cooling costs. While this is certainly true, you don’t immediately save just by swapping out your old manual thermostat for a programmable one. To optimize your savings, you must select, set up and use a programmable thermostat to the fullest.

As stated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), homeowners can save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs with the help of a programmable thermostat to consistently change the temperature 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours every day. For the everyday home, this amounts to about $180 per year. Check out these programmable thermostat tips to save the most on your heating and cooling bills.

How to Secure a Programmable Thermostat

As you compare thermostats, confirm the compatibility with your HVAC system. For example, radiant floor heating may call for a different type of thermostat than one developed for forced-air heating and cooling.

Then, evaluate the scheduling functionality. Most programmable thermostats have four daily programs—Wake, Leave, Home and Sleep, or something similar. Different models offer varying levels of control during the week. Here are the four primary options:

• • 7-day programming provides a different schedule every day. This is ideal if your family’s schedule changes regularly.

• • 5-1-1 programming creates a weekday schedule and separate Saturday/Sunday schedules. This is best if your routine is about the same Monday through Friday but unique on Saturday and Sunday.

• • 5-2 programming lets you set separate weekday and weekend schedules.

• • 1-week programming follows one schedule for the entire week.

How to Set Up a Programmable Thermostat

The ability to set up setback periods while you’re out of the house or sleeping makes it simpler to save energy with a programmable thermostat. Finalize the settings you prefer at the beginning of the season. While you can choose the times and temperatures that work best for your family’s needs, here’s how an ordinary weekday schedule might look:

• • Wake at 7:00 am: The thermostat achieves a comfortable temperature in time for you to wake up. The DOE suggests 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees during the summer.

• • Leave at 8:00 am: Program the thermostat to set the temperature back 10 degrees around 30 minutes before going to work. This setting should be about 58 degrees in the winter and 88 degrees in the summer.

• • Home at 5:30 pm: The automatic recovery function provides a comfortable temperature before you get home from work. This setting should be around 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer.

• • Sleep at 10:30 pm: Program the thermostat to the nighttime temperature about 30 minutes before bed. This nighttime setting should be about 65 degrees in the winter and 80 degrees through the summer.

Getting Maximum Savings from a Programmable Thermostat

The best aspect of a programmable thermostat is that you can save energy without losing out on comfort. Try these tips to get the most from your upgrade:

• • Don’t override programmed settings: You can always override the set temperature if you are uncomfortable. That said, your energy usage will increase if you regularly change the settings. Add an extra layer in the winter or turn on a fan in the summer before touching the thermostat.

• • Use the correct hold feature: All programmable thermostats enable temporary overrides without deleting the current setting. This is called the “temporary hold,” which only persists until the next programmed time. The “permanent/vacation hold” is for when you leave town. This overrides the settings indefinitely. The thermostat won’t go back to your regular schedule until you personally clear the hold.

• • Don’t make drastic temperature changes: When you must override a setting, adjust the thermostat by only a degree or two. You should feel more comfortable after making this slight adjustment while avoiding the energy waste of cranking the temperature way up or down.

• • Change the batteries: Most programmable thermostats run on batteries to keep the settings from being deleted because of a power outage. Make a habit of replacing the batteries yearly at a time you can easily remember, such as the new year or when the kids return to school in the fall.

Start Saving by Installing a Programmable Thermostat

If you’re ready to set it and forget it, call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help choosing and installing a programmable thermostat. We can also provide details about Wi-Fi programmable thermostats, which come with even more benefits like remote temperature control, learning capabilities, motion sensors, auto-generated energy reports and more. For more details or to request a free thermostat assessment, please call your local Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning office today.