What Are the Average Savings After Installing a Programmable Thermostat?

You have probably heard that having a programmable thermostat can lower your heating and cooling costs. While this is indeed true, you don’t immediately save just by exchanging your old manual thermostat for a programmable one. To make the most of your savings, you must select, set up and use a programmable thermostat properly. 

As reported by 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 adjust the temperature 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours every 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 bills. 

How to Find a Programmable Thermostat 

As you look at different thermostats, verify the compatibility with the rest of your HVAC system. As an example, radiant floor heating can call for a different type of thermostat than one created for forced-air heating and cooling. 

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

• 7-day programming provides a different schedule every day. This is ideal if your family’s schedule varies consistently. 
• 5-1-1 programming offers 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 creates one schedule for the entire week. 

How to Set Up a Programmable Thermostat 

The ability to program setback periods while you’re out of the house or sleeping makes it easier to save energy with a programmable thermostat. Create the settings you prefer at the beginning of the season. While you can choose the times and temperatures that are ideal for your family’s preferences, here’s how a typical weekday schedule might work: 

• Wake at 7:00 am: The thermostat achieves a comfortable temperature in time for you to wake up. The DOE suggests 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees for the summer. 
• Leave at 8:00 am: Instruct the thermostat to set the temperature back 10 degrees about 30 minutes before going to 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 function provides a comfortable temperature before you are home for the day. 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 about 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 benefit of 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. However, your energy usage will increase if you consistently change the settings. Don an extra layer in the winter or turn on a fan in the summer before changing the thermostat. 
• Use the correct hold feature: All programmable thermostats allow temporary overrides without deleting the current 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 go back to your regular schedule until you manually clear the hold. 
• Don’t make steep 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 slight adjustment while avoiding the energy waste of adjusting the temperature way up or down. 

• Replace the batteries: Most programmable thermostats use batteries to keep the settings from being deleted after a power outage. Make a habit of replacing the batteries once a year at a time you can easily remember, like the new year or when the kids go back to school in the fall. 

Start Saving by Installing a Programmable Thermostat 

If you prefer to set it and forget it, call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for help selecting 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 information or to request a free thermostat assessment, please call your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office today.