Tips for Operating Your Programmable Thermostat

According to the Energy Star website, properly using programmable thermostats can save homeowners $180, "assuming a typical, single-family home with a 10 hour daytime setback of 8° F in winter and setup of 7° F in summer, and an 8 hour nighttime setback of 8° F in winter and a setup of 4° F in summer." To get these savings benefits, simply use the 4 pre-programmed settings that programmable thermostats come with.

Set the temperature at its energy savings set points for at least 8 hour time periods, such as when you are away from home or asleep.

You can override any preset program temporarily, to make the house warmer or cooler without erasing the stored program. The override is canceled when the program is next used. Constantly overriding the preset programs uses more energy, and you will pay more in energy bills, so it is best to use the preset program as often as possible.

Most programmable thermostats have 2 types of hold features: hold/permanent/vacation and temporary. “Hold” or “vacation” features are best when you're planning to be away for a weekend or more extended period; set them several degrees warmer in summer, and several degrees cooler during winter. Leaving the hold feature set at the comfort temperature will waste money and energy while you're out of the house.

Don't crank the temperature on your programmable thermostat up or down excessively. Setting the temperature at 40 degrees or 90 degrees doesn't make the house cool down or heat up any faster. Most programmable thermostats take a set amount of time to reach the desired temperature. There are exceptions to this rule, including if your programmable thermostat has adaptive (smart/intelligent) recovery features.

Most homes have only one programmable thermostat to control the temperature in the whole house. If your home has more than one, then each programmable thermostat must be set to maximize comfort, convenience and energy savings throughout the house.

Don't forget about the batteries and be sure to replace them when needed!

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about how to operate a programmable thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Solutions Guide.

Rodenhiser Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning serves the Route 495/128 area of Massachusetts. To get started, check out our website or see our current promotions.