What Are the Average Savings After Installing a Programmable Thermostat?

You have probably heard that having a programmable thermostat can bring down your heating and cooling costs. While this is genuinely true, you don’t automatically save just by exchanging your old manual thermostat for a programmable one. To optimize your savings, you ought to select, set up and use a programmable thermostat properly. 

As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), homeowners can save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs by using a programmable thermostat to consistently set back the temperature 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours each day. For the ordinary 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 Find a Programmable Thermostat 

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

Then, evaluate the scheduling controls. Most programmable thermostats have four daily programs—Wake, Leave, Home and Sleep, or something similar. Separate models offer varied levels of control all through the week. Here are the four primary options: 

• 7-day programming provides a different schedule on a daily basis. This is ideal if your family’s schedule changes daily. 
• 5-1-1 programming generates a weekday schedule and separate Saturday/Sunday schedules. This is better 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 creates one schedule for the entire week. 

How to Set Up a Programmable Thermostat 

The capability to set up setback periods while you’re out of the house or sleeping makes it easier to save energy with a programmable thermostat. Establish the settings you want at the beginning of the season. While you can choose the times and temperatures that are best for your family’s needs, here’s how a typical weekday schedule might work: 

• Wake at 7:00 am: The thermostat reaches a comfortable temperature in time for you to wake up. The DOE suggests 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees for the summer. 
• Leave at 8:00 am: Instruct the thermostat to set the temperature back 10 degrees about 30 minutes before heading into work. This setting should be about 58 degrees in the winter and 88 degrees for the summer. 
• Home at 5:30 pm: The automatic recovery schedule resumes 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 around 30 minutes before bed. This nighttime setting should be set to 65 degrees in the winter and 80 degrees during the summer. 

Getting Maximum Savings from a Programmable Thermostat 

The best benefit of a programmable thermostat is that you can save energy without sacrificing comfort. Check out these tips to get the most from your upgrade: 

• Avoid overriding programmed settings: You can always override the current temperature if you are uncomfortable. Although, your energy usage will go up if you constantly change the settings. Add an extra layer in the winter or turn on a fan in the summer before adjusting the thermostat. 
• Use the correct hold feature: All programmable thermostats can create temporary overrides without deleting the existing setting. This is known as the “temporary hold,” which only continues until the next programmed time. The “permanent/vacation hold” is for when you are out of town. This overrides the settings indefinitely. The thermostat won’t resume your regular schedule until you manually clear the hold. 
• Don’t make steep temperature changes: When you must override a setting, change the thermostat by just a degree or two. You should feel more comfortable after making this small adjustment while avoiding the energy waste of turning the temperature way up or down. 

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

Start Saving by Installing a Programmable Thermostat 

If you want to set it and forget it, turn to Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for help finding and installing a programmable thermostat. We can also tell you about Wi-Fi programmable thermostats, which are designed with even more benefits thanks to 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 & Plumbing office today.