Programmable thermostats offer a “set-it-and-forget-it” method for homeowners to save money on their heating and cooling bills. But just having a programmable thermostat won’t automatically save you money; you have to know how to use it wisely as well. Today we’re going to help you do that by providing tips on how to save the most money with your programmable thermostat!
Programmable thermostat tips for maximizing your energy savings
- Choose a model that matches your family’s schedule. Different programmable thermostats allow for different types of customizations. A 5-2 model allows you to have one set of settings during the week and another during the weekend; a 5-1-1 model allows you to have one set of settings during the week and separate settings for Saturday and Sunday, and a 7-day model allows you to have a different set of settings for every day of the week. Make sure to choose a model with the right customization levels to match your family’s changing schedule throughout the week.
- Choose a model that matches your family’s schedule. Different programmable thermostats allow for different types of customizations. A 5-2 model allows you to have one set of settings during the week and another during the weekend; a 5-1-1 model allows you to have one set of settings during the week and separate settings for Saturday and Sunday, and a 7-day model allows you to have a different set of settings for every day of the week. Make sure to choose a model with the right customization levels to match your family’s changing schedule throughout the week.
- Adjust your settings at night. During winter, nighttime is a great time to set your thermostat back. That’s because you can cover yourself in blankets and sheets to stay warm, so you won’t need as much heat from your furnace.
- Adjust your settings when you’re out for the night. Do you typically leave the house for the night on the weekends? If so, that’s another good time to set your thermostat back. On the days when you choose to stay in, you can simply put a hold on those settings and keep your thermostat at a normal temperature.
- Don’t use extreme changes in temperature settings. Although setting your thermostat back is a great way to save energy, it’s possible to overdo it. Adjusting your thermostat by about five degrees at a time is a good way to save energy without forcing your furnace to work too hard to heat your home back up to its normal temperature.
- Save energy while on vacation. One exception to the rule above is when you’re on vacation. If you’re going on vacation for an extended period, you can use your thermostat’s hold or vacation setting to lower your thermostat to about 55 degrees for maximum savings while you’re gone.
- Plan ahead for when you wake up or get home. If you want to save energy without sacrificing comfort, plan with your programmable thermostat settings so that your furnace starts heating your home before you get back from work or wake up in the morning. This will allow you to cut down on your energy bills without even having to feel a difference in your home’s comfort levels. If you buy a programmable thermostat with adaptive recovery capabilities, this can be done for you automatically!
If you have any questions about these programmable thermostat tips, or if you’d like a heating system serviced or installed in your home, contact Jerry Kelly Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical, your St. Louis area furnace installation and repair contractor. We provide service all over the St. Louis area, including towns like Weldon Spring, Wentzville, and Winghaven, MO.
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