What Are the Average Savings After Installing a Programmable Thermostat?

You have most likely heard that having a programmable thermostat can lower 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 effectively. 

As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), homeowners can save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs if you use a programmable thermostat to consistently set back the temperature 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours each day. For the average home, this amounts to about $180 per year. Check out these programmable thermostat tips to save the most on your heating and cooling costs. 

How to Find a Programmable Thermostat 

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

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

• 7-day programming provides a different schedule on a daily basis. This is ideal if your family’s schedule fluctuates regularly. 
• 5-1-1 programming creates 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 sticks to one schedule for every day of the week. 

How to Set Up a Programmable Thermostat 

The capability to schedule setback periods while you’re away or sleeping makes it easy to save energy with a programmable thermostat. Create the settings you prefer at the start of the season. While you can determine the times and temperatures that work best for your family’s schedules, here’s how an ordinary weekday schedule might work: 

• Wake at 7:00 am: The thermostat achieves a comfortable temperature in time for you to start your day. The DOE recommends 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees for the summer. 
• Leave at 8:00 am: Program the thermostat to adjust the temperature back 10 degrees about 30 minutes before going to work. This setting should be approximately 58 degrees in the winter and 88 degrees for the summer. 
• Home at 5:30 pm: The automatic recovery function ensures a comfortable temperature before you are home for the day. This setting should be about 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer. 
• Sleep at 10:30 pm: Program the thermostat to the nighttime temperature for 30 minutes before bed. This nighttime setting should be set to 65 degrees in the winter and 80 degrees in 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. 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 really uncomfortable. However, your energy usage will go up if you constantly change the settings. Don an extra layer in the winter or use a fan in the summer before adjusting the thermostat. 
• Use the correct hold feature: All programmable thermostats allow 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 for longer periods. This overrides the settings indefinitely. The thermostat won’t return to your regular schedule until you manually remove the hold. 
• Don’t make large 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 minor adjustment while avoiding the energy waste of cranking the temperature way up or down. 

• Replace the batteries: Most programmable thermostats need batteries to stop the settings from being deleted because of a power outage. Make a habit of changing the batteries annually 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 & Plumbing for help choosing and installing a programmable thermostat. We can also provide details about Wi-Fi programmable thermostats, which offer even more benefits like remote temperature control, learning capabilities, motion sensors, auto-generated energy reports and more. For additional information or to request a free thermostat assessment, please call your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office today.