Wouldn’t it be great if you could just set an ideal temperature for your home during different times of the day and not have to constantly adjust the thermostat? Well if you invest in the right programmable thermostat, it will do just that and you will have a comfortable home that is also more energy efficient. A programmable thermostat lets you tailor heating and cooling to your schedule.
If you’re typically out at work on weekdays you can set the thermostat so it turns down the heating or cooling while you’re out and don’t need it. Set it to turn back up before you get home and the only difference you will notice is in your bill. You can set your schedule to be as simple or complicated befits your life.
There are a variety of programmable thermostats you can buy. You can easily find them online or at your local hardware store. The cost will depend entirely on the features you want. For example, some have backlight or Wifi connectivity. Many utility companies offer rebates and deals for programmable thermostats and some will even help you set it up. Check with your utility company to see what deals and programs are available.
They usually come with 4 pre-programmed settings. If you have a relatively set schedule – meaning Monday through Friday at work and you’re in and out about the same on the weekends – a 5-and-2 day model would be best. You set one program for weekdays and a second for weekends.
There are 2 other models that offer more flexibility. If your weekdays are the same but your Saturdays and Sundays differ, a 5-1-1 model is good but for ultimate flexibility a 7-day model is the best. With these you can set a different schedule for each day, if necessary. These are perfect for people with varying shift jobs or those that work part time from home.
Once you have decided on and purchased your thermostat, you need to make sure you set it up properly so it saves you the most money. Here are some tips that should help you get the optimal settings for comfort and efficiency.
Try to keep the temperature at energy saving levels for 8 hour stretches at a time if possible. If you’re out during the day, that is the perfect time; at night is also a good time to lower the output.
Keep the temperature as constant as possible. Changing it frequently will make the system work harder, which will increase your energy costs.
If you go away for more than a single day, set the temperature at the energy saving level until you return. There is no reason to heat or cool an empty house and this will help you save money.
Be sure your thermostat is not next to or near any vents or heat sources as this would interfere with how it works and could cost you money, though most systems are set up properly and you would only be replacing an existing dial-type thermostat with your new programmable one.