Programmable Thermostats: Do They Really Save Money?
The US Department of Energy (DOE) figures that the average household spends more than $2,000 on energy bills each year. As much as 50% of this goes to heating and cooling the home. For those who use a programmable thermostat, there is good news. When used properly and by following the tips below, you can save some serious cash.
Get To Know How Your Thermostat Works
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According to a study conducted by researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 90% of all Americans seldom, if ever, change the thermostat from its default settings. Most claim that their failure to do so is caused by lack of knowledge about the device. Since thermostats typically come with detailed manuals and how-to guides, this is shocking. Additionally, tutorials about programmable thermostats can be found online using any web-enabled device. Without the fundamental knowledge of how a thermostat works, it is impossible to decreases energy costs.
Energy-Saving Mode
Your thermostat can be set to revert to the energy-saving mode. This can be done at any time especially when no one is at home. It is a good idea to do this during those times when you don’t need heating or cooling in your home. The DOE even recommends that you turn the thermostat down in the winter and up in the summer. Set the thermostat to a lower temperature when you are going to be away from home for a few hours in the winter. You can go as low as 5 to 8 degrees lower. You can raise it in the summer about 5-8 degrees. This is also a good rule to follow when everyone in your house is sleeping at night. These measures will reduce your energy consumption and, therefore, lower your energy bills.
Appropriate Usage Of “Vacation” Or “Hold” Features
The “hold” or “vacation” setting needs to be avoided. Only use it when you are going to be out of the house for a few days or longer. The folks at Energy Star would like you to know that using this setting to control energy consumption every day ends up creating energy inefficiencies. You can avoid this problem by setting your thermostat a few degrees lower for those times when no one is going to be at home during the winter and a few degrees higher for summer absences. Weekends are another great time to use the “Hold/vacation” feature.
Avoid Extreme Temperature Swings
Do not raise or lower the thermostat setting significantly. Expert advise against this. This will not heat or cool your home faster. There is one exception to this. Thermostats that are equipped with adaptive recovery features are the only exceptions. Their design allows them to reach a pre-programmed temperature at a specific and pre-set time. With all that said, the best way to determine how best to efficiently use your home heating and cooling system is to monitor its performance.
Checkups For Thermostats
To ensure that your programmable thermostat is functioning properly, perform regular checkups on the device. If the thermostat display indicates that it is time to change the batteries, then change them. A malfunctioning thermostat offers no assistance to its owner in efforts to reduce energy expenses.
Multiple Cooling/Heating Zones
While the majority of homes have a single thermostat, it is possible to maximize savings on your energy bill by installing multiple programmable thermostats and learning how to use them. Doing so will help you accurately customize the heating and cooling of your home. A professional HVAC technician is the best person to hire to install these thermostats since certified HVAC contractors are up to date on all relevant electrical engineering standards and regulations.
Programmable Thermostat Jim Thorpe PA
Programmable thermostats help manage domestic energy usage. Energy Star claims that using one can help average Americans reduce their annual energy costs by up to $180. By creating multiple heating/cooling zones, learning to use a thermostat properly, using the “vacation/hold” feature, avoiding extreme setting changes and ensuring that your thermostat is in sound working condition will help you enjoy the benefits of your heating and cooling system even more.
R.F.Ohl offers HVAC services in northeastern Pennsylvania and has been doing so for the last 30 years. Our heating and cooling contractors can install a new thermostat, or conduct any other HVAC equipment installation, in order for you to start experiencing a reduction in your home heating and cooling costs. Be sure to take advantage of our heating oil delivery, propane delivery, plumbing services, and much more. For a list of all our home services, click here.
We service Albrightsville PA 18210, Ashfield PA 18212, Bowmanstown PA 18030, Jim Thorpe PA 18229, Lansford PA 18232, Lehighton PA 18235, Nesquehoning PA 18240, Parryville PA 18244, Summit Hill PA 18250, and Weatherly PA 18255. We also service all of Carbon County, Monroe County, Lehigh County, Northampton County, and Schuylkill County.
Contact us today or give us a call at (610) 377-1098 if you have any questions.