A programmable thermostat is one of the best investments you can make this winter when it comes to saving energy, but it must be programmed correctly in order to work efficiently. A properly installed and operated programmable thermostat will help you spend less on energy bills both now and in the warmer months to come. Learn how to use your programmable thermostat to maximize your energy savings this winter.
One of the main advantages of a programmable thermostat is the freedom it offers you to “set it and forget it”—simply program temperature settings that fit your schedule at the beginning of the season and you can ignore the thermostat for months.
You can save money without sacrificing comfort by setting the thermostat to a lower temperature at night while you’re sleeping and during the day when you’re at work. With a properly programmed schedule, the thermostat will automatically raise and lower the temperature as needed.
Your thermostat schedule will have two main settings: the energy saving setting and the comfort setting. In the winter, 68 degrees is a good setting for when you’re awake and at home. Set the energy saving temperature 10 to 15 degrees lower than the comfort setting, and keep the thermostat at the energy saving setting for at least 8 hours at a time.
Try to avoid using your thermostat’s hold or vacation override modes to change the temperature on a daily basis, as this uses more energy. Your programmable thermostat is most efficient when it’s left to run it’s programmed schedule. If your family takes a winter vacation, however, you can use the vacation override mode to set a single, energy efficient temperature for the duration of your absence. Your thermostat may have the capability to set a return date so that your home is warm and cozy when you get back.
Finally, remember to change the batteries in your thermostat annually.
For expert advice about programmable thermostats or for any other HVAC concerns, contact T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating today. Our team of heating and cooling professionals have been serving Long Island since 1934.
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