Your Heat Pump’s Thermostat: What You Need to Know for Winter Programming

How a Programmable System Can Help Cut Costs

There’s no question that you want to stay warm and comfortable in your home, but that doesn’t mean you have to waste electricity to do so. Many homeowners don’t realize that they’re not effectively using their heat pump’s thermostat. Let’s explore the simple ways you can reduce your energy consumption.

A Breakdown of “Normal” Heat Pump Settings

If you set the controls in the way most people do, and the temperature gauge is changed by as little as two degrees, the auxiliary heat will come on to help the heat pump get to the right temperature quickly. Your auxiliary heat is typically more expensive to run than your gas heat. As a result, this setup can cost you money every month.

Avoid Relying Upon Resistance Heat

The main reason you don’t want to rely on this method of heating is because it can get very expensive for your auxiliary heat to kick in, compared to solely using the basic heat pump operation. There are programmable thermostats that work with your heat pump. Many homeowners also set the heater lower at night or during the day, and set it to automatically increase when home and awake. This too can cost more, and there’s a better option.

A Better Way to Monitor Your Heat Pump’s Thermostat

The best option: choose a programmable thermostat that’s made for this purpose. There are plenty of thermostats on the market, but you’re looking specifically for a heat pump thermostat. You’ll use this device in the same way you would a traditional thermostat, but it will calculate how long in advance it must turn on to reach the desired temperature by a specific time and without engaging the auxiliary heat.

To learn more about the optimal options for your heat pump’s thermostat, contact T.F. O’Brien Cooling & Heating today. We look forward to helping you achieve a more energy efficient home.

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