What Are the Average Savings After Installing a Programmable Thermostat?

You have most likely heard that having a programmable thermostat can lower your heating and cooling costs. While this is genuinely true, you don’t automatically save just by exchanging your old manual thermostat for a programmable one. To optimize your savings, you must select, set up and use a programmable thermostat effectively. 

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 adjust 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. Follow these programmable thermostat tips to save the most on your heating and cooling bills. 

How to Find a Programmable Thermostat 

As you compare thermostats, confirm the compatibility with 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 close. Various models offer dynamic 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 changes consistently. 
• 5-1-1 programming offers a weekday schedule and separate Saturday/Sunday schedules. This is better if your routine is the same 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 every day of the week. 

How to Set Up a Programmable Thermostat 

The ability to set up setback periods while you’re away or sleeping makes it simpler to save energy with a programmable thermostat. Establish the settings you want at the start of the season. While you can select the times and temperatures that are best for your family’s needs, here’s how a typical weekday schedule might work: 

• Wake at 7:00 am: The thermostat provides a comfortable temperature in time for you to wake up. The DOE recommends 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees during 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 around 58 degrees in the winter and 88 degrees over the summer. 
• Home at 5:30 pm: The automatic recovery schedule resumes 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 about 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 part about 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. That said, 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 enable temporary overrides without deleting the current setting. This is referred to as a “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 personally clear the hold. 
• Don’t make drastic 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 minor adjustment while preventing the energy waste of adjusting the temperature way up or down. 

• Replace the batteries: Most programmable thermostats use batteries to prevent the settings from being deleted during a power outage. Make a habit of replacing the batteries once a year at a time you can easily remember, such as the new year or when the kids go back 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 provide details 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 more details or to request a free thermostat assessment, please call your local Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing office today.