What Are the Average Savings After Installing a Programmable Thermostat?

You have probably heard that putting in a programmable thermostat can lower your heating and cooling costs. While this is genuinely true, you don’t immediately save just by exchanging your old manual thermostat for a programmable one. To optimize your savings, you ought to select, set up and use a programmable thermostat properly. 

As stated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), homeowners can save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs if you use a programmable thermostat to automatically set back the temperature 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours every day. For the everyday home, this amounts to around $180 per year. Follow these programmable thermostat tips to save the most on your heating and cooling bill. 

How to Secure a Programmable Thermostat 

As you look at different thermostats, check the compatibility with your other equipment. For instance, radiant floor heating may call for a different type of thermostat than one developed 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 dynamic levels of control throughout the week. Here are the four main options: 

• 7-day programming provides a different schedule each day. This is perfect if your family’s schedule fluctuates daily. 
• 5-1-1 programming generates a weekday schedule and separate Saturday/Sunday schedules. This is good 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 ability to program 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 select the times and temperatures that are ideal for your family’s preferences, here’s how a typical 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 recommends 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer. 
• Leave at 8:00 am: Program the thermostat to set 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 for the summer. 
• Home at 5:30 pm: The automatic recovery schedule provides a comfortable temperature before you get home from work. This setting should be about 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 about 65 degrees in the winter and 80 degrees during the summer. 

Getting Maximum Savings from a Programmable Thermostat 

The best aspect 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 feel uncomfortable. However, your energy usage will go up if you consistently change the settings. Don an extra layer in the winter or use a fan in the summer before adjusting the thermostat. 
• Use the correct hold feature: All programmable thermostats allow temporary overrides without deleting the current setting. This is referred to as a “temporary hold,” which only persists until the next programmed time. The “permanent/vacation hold” is for when you leave town. This overrides the settings indefinitely. The thermostat won’t resume your regular schedule until you manually remove the hold. 
• Don’t make large 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 small adjustment while avoiding the energy waste of cranking the temperature way up or down. 

• Change the batteries: Most programmable thermostats need batteries to prevent the settings from being deleted after 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, call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for help selecting and installing a programmable thermostat. We can also tell you 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.