What Are the Average Savings After Installing a Programmable Thermostat?

You have probably 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 optimize your savings, you must 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 with the help of a programmable thermostat to routinely change the temperature 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours each day. For the ordinary home, this amounts to around $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, verify the compatibility with the rest of your HVAC system. For example, radiant floor heating can necessitate a different type of thermostat than one designed for forced-air heating and cooling. 

Then, examine the scheduling controls. Most programmable thermostats have four daily programs—Wake, Leave, Home and Sleep, or something close. Various models offer varied levels of control during the week. Here are the four main options: 

  • 7-day programming provides a different schedule on a daily basis. 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 consistent 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 the whole week. 

How to Set Up a Programmable Thermostat 

The capability to schedule setback periods while you’re gone or sleeping makes it simpler to save energy with a programmable thermostat. Establish 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 needs, here’s how an ordinary weekday schedule might work: 

  • Wake at 7:00 am: The thermostat provides a comfortable temperature in time for you to get out of bed. The DOE suggests 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer. 
  • Leave at 8:00 am: Instruct the thermostat to adjust the temperature back 10 degrees around 30 minutes before going to 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 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 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 sacrificing comfort. Check out these tips to get the most from your upgrade: 

  • Don’t override programmed settings: You can always override the set temperature if you are really uncomfortable. That said, your energy usage will increase if you regularly change the settings. Put on 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 enable temporary overrides without deleting the current setting. This is known as the “temporary hold,” which only lasts 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 drastic 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 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 changing the batteries yearly at a time you can easily remember, such as the new year or when the kids head off 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 share more info about Wi-Fi programmable thermostats, which are designed with even more benefits such as 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. 

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