What Are the Average Savings After Installing a Programmable Thermostat?

You have likely heard that installing a programmable thermostat can bring down your heating and cooling costs. While this is indeed true, you don’t immediately save just by replacing your old manual thermostat for a programmable one. To optimize your savings, you should select, set up and use a programmable thermostat to the fullest.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), homeowners could save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs by using a programmable thermostat to consistently change the temperature 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours each day. For the everyday home, this amounts to about $180 per year. Try these programmable thermostat tips to save the most on your heating and cooling costs.

How to Find a Programmable Thermostat

As you look at different 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 controls. Most programmable thermostats have four daily programs—Wake, Leave, Home and Sleep, or something close. Different models offer varying levels of control all through the week. Here are the four primary options:

• • 7-day programming allows a different schedule every day. This is ideal if your family’s schedule fluctuates daily.

• • 5-1-1 programming generates a weekday schedule and separate Saturday/Sunday schedules. This is better 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 program setback periods while you’re away or sleeping makes it simpler to save energy with a programmable thermostat. Establish the settings you want at the beginning 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 provides a comfortable temperature in time for you to get out of bed. The DOE recommends 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in 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 in the summer.

• • Home at 5:30 pm: The automatic recovery period provides a comfortable temperature before you get home from work. 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 during 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:

• • Don’t override programmed settings: You can always override the current temperature if you feel uncomfortable. That said, your energy usage will go up if you constantly change the settings. Don an extra layer in the winter or grab a fan in the summer before touching the thermostat.

• • Use the correct hold feature: All programmable thermostats allow temporary overrides without deleting the existing setting. This is referred to as a “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 personally remove the hold.

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

• • Replace the batteries: Most programmable thermostats run on batteries to prevent the settings from being deleted after a power outage. Make a habit of checking the batteries yearly at a time you can easily remember, such as the new year or when the kids go back to school in the fall.

Start Saving by Installing a Programmable Thermostat

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