A programmable thermostat is a great way to save money on your energy bills. However, you will not see much savings unless you know how to use it properly. Programmable thermostats work best when properly installed, programmed and operated.
How to Maximize Your Savings with a Programmable Thermostat
- The location of the thermostat can affect how it runs. You do not want it installed near heating or cooling registers, appliances, windows or fireplaces. It should be on an interior wall, not an exterior one. It should not be near or in line with the sunlight coming through windows, doors or skylights.
- Program the thermostat around your typical schedule. Set it for comfortable levels when you are at home and awake. Set it at energy saving levels when you are away. Make sure your thermostat can handle different schedules for the weekends and weekdays.
- Do not override your thermostat’s programming without a good reason. Overriding too often defeats the ability of the thermostat to save you money. Use long energy-saving blocks of time for best results, usually at least eight hours.
- If you are going away for more than 24 hours, use the “hold” button to set the thermostat to an energy-saving level. When you get home, take the “hold” off and let the thermostat take back over.
- For homes with a zoning system, you will need a programmable thermostat in each zone. This allows you to maximize energy savings while keeping the zone occupants comfortable at the same time.
- For thermostats that use a battery or have a battery backup, be sure to change them at least once a year.
Consistency and smart thinking will help maximize the energy savings you get with programmable thermostats. For more information on saving energy on your heating and cooling, please contact us at James Lane Air Conditioning & Plumbing Co. We are your Witchita Falls home comfort experts.
