What Are the Average Savings After Installing a Programmable Thermostat?

You have likely heard that having a programmable thermostat can reduce 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 maximize your savings, you ought to select, set up and use a programmable thermostat effectively. 

As stated 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 set back the temperature 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours every day. For the ordinary home, this amounts to about $180 per year. Try these programmable thermostat tips to save the most on your heating and cooling bill. 

How to Find a Programmable Thermostat 

As you compare thermostats, verify the compatibility with your HVAC system. For instance, radiant floor heating may require a different type of thermostat than one designed for forced-air heating and cooling. 

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

• 7-day programming provides a different schedule each day. This is perfect if your family’s schedule fluctuates daily. 
• 5-1-1 programming offers a weekday schedule and separate Saturday/Sunday schedules. This is better if your routine is consistent Monday through Friday but different on Saturday and Sunday. 
• 5-2 programming lets you set separate weekday and weekend schedules. 
• 1-week programming creates one schedule for the whole week. 

How to Set Up a Programmable Thermostat 

The capability to set up setback periods while you’re out of the house or sleeping makes it easy to save energy with a programmable thermostat. Create the settings you want 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 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 suggests 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees during the summer. 
• Leave at 8:00 am: Instruct the thermostat to set the temperature back 10 degrees around 30 minutes before going to work. This setting should be approximately 58 degrees during the winter and 88 degrees in the summer. 
• Home at 5:30 pm: The automatic recovery schedule provides a comfortable temperature before you are home for the day. 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 about 65 degrees in the winter and 80 degrees through 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. Try 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. That said, your energy usage will increase if you consistently change the settings. Add an extra layer in the winter or turn on a fan in the summer before touching 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 leave town. This overrides the settings indefinitely. The thermostat won’t go back to your regular schedule until you personally clear the hold. 
• Don’t make steep temperature changes: When you must override a setting, adjust the thermostat by only a degree or two. You should feel more comfortable after making this slight adjustment while avoiding the energy waste of turning the temperature way up or down. 

• Change the batteries: Most programmable thermostats run on batteries to prevent the settings from being deleted during 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’re ready to set it and forget it, choose 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 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 call your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office today.