What Are the Average Savings After Installing a Programmable Thermostat?

You have likely heard that putting in a programmable thermostat can reduce your heating and cooling costs. While this is certainly true, you don’t instantly save just by replacing your old manual thermostat for a programmable one. To maximize your savings, you ought to select, set up and use a programmable thermostat to the fullest.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), homeowners can save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs by using a programmable thermostat to routinely 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. Follow these programmable thermostat tips to save the most on your heating and cooling bills.

How to Find a Programmable Thermostat

As you look at different thermostats, check the compatibility with the rest of your HVAC system. For example, radiant floor heating can require 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 close. Various models offer dynamic levels of control throughout the week. Here are the four main options:

• • 7-day programming provides a different schedule on a daily basis. This is perfect if your family’s schedule varies daily.

• • 5-1-1 programming generates a weekday schedule and separate Saturday/Sunday schedules. This is best if your routine is the same Monday through Friday but distinct 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 ability to schedule setback periods while you’re gone or sleeping makes it easier to save energy with a programmable thermostat. Create the settings you want at the start of the season. While you can determine 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 recommends 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer.

• • Leave at 8:00 am: Program the thermostat to adjust the temperature back 10 degrees around 30 minutes before heading into work. This setting should be around 58 degrees during the winter and 88 degrees for the summer.

• • Home at 5:30 pm: The automatic recovery schedule ensures a comfortable temperature before you are home for the day. 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 around 65 degrees in the winter and 80 degrees in the summer.

Getting Maximum Savings from a Programmable Thermostat

The best part about a programmable thermostat is that you can save energy without losing comfort. Follow these tips to get the most from your upgrade:

• • Try not to override programmed settings: You can always override the current temperature if you feel uncomfortable. However, your energy usage will go up if you regularly change the settings. Don an extra layer in the winter or use a fan in the summer before changing the thermostat.

• • Use the correct hold feature: All programmable thermostats can create temporary overrides without deleting the active setting. This is known as the “temporary hold,” which only lasts 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 go back to your regular schedule until you manually disable the hold.

• • Don’t make large 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.

• • Change the batteries: Most programmable thermostats need batteries to stop the settings from being deleted after 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 want to set it and forget it, choose Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for help finding and installing a programmable thermostat. We can also share more info about Wi-Fi programmable thermostats, which come with even more benefits such as remote temperature control, learning capabilities, motion sensors, auto-generated energy reports and more. For additional information or to request a free thermostat assessment, please contact your local Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning office today.