What Are the Average Savings After Installing a Programmable Thermostat?

You have most likely heard that installing a programmable thermostat can lower your heating and cooling costs. While this is genuinely true, you don’t immediately save just by swapping out your old manual thermostat for a programmable one. To make the most of 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 with the help of a programmable thermostat to automatically set back the temperature 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours each day. For the everyday home, this amounts to close to $180 per year. Try these programmable thermostat tips to save the most on your heating and cooling bills. 

How to Secure a Programmable Thermostat 

As you compare thermostats, check the compatibility with your other equipment. For instance, radiant floor heating might necessitate a different type of thermostat than one designed 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. Separate models offer varying levels of control during the week. Here are the four principal 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 creates a weekday schedule and separate Saturday/Sunday schedules. This is best if your routine is consistent Monday through Friday but unique on Saturday and Sunday. 
• 5-2 programming lets you set separate weekday and weekend schedules. 
• 1-week programming follows one schedule for the whole week. 

How to Set Up a Programmable Thermostat 

The capability to schedule setback periods while you’re away or sleeping makes it easier to save energy with a programmable thermostat. Finalize the settings you want at the start of the season. While you can choose the times and temperatures that are best for your family’s schedules, here’s how the average weekday schedule might work: 

• Wake at 7:00 am: The thermostat reaches 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 adjust the temperature back 10 degrees around 30 minutes before leaving for work. This setting should be about 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 around 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees during 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 aspect of a programmable thermostat is that you can save energy without losing out on 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 are uncomfortable. However, your energy usage will go up if you regularly change the settings. Add an extra layer in the winter or turn on a fan in the summer before adjusting the thermostat. 
• Use the correct hold feature: All programmable thermostats enable temporary overrides without deleting the existing setting. This is known as the “temporary hold,” which only continues 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 return to your regular schedule until you manually clear the hold. 
• Don’t make drastic 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 minor adjustment while avoiding the energy waste of adjusting the temperature way up or down. 

• Change the batteries: Most programmable thermostats use batteries to prevent 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, like 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, turn to 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 are designed with even more benefits like remote temperature control, learning capabilities, motion sensors, auto-generated energy reports and more. For more details or to request a free thermostat assessment, please contact your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office today.