A programmable thermostat can help you keep out the chill of a cold Dayton winter while still optimizing your furnace’s energy efficiency. The benefits it provides, however, depend on how you use it.
Choose Your Settings Carefully
Reducing your thermostat temperature below 68 degrees for 8 hours a day can save you 10 to 15 percent on heating. A programmable thermostat automatically adjusts your home’s temperatures so you enjoy both comfort and savings without having to constantly fiddle with the thermostat. With most models, you can set four different temperature periods per day. Your weekday schedule might go something like this:
- 7 to 8 a.m. – Choose a comfortable temperature, such as 68 degrees, to stay warm while you’re getting ready to head out for the day.
- 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. – If you’ll be at work all day, reduce your temperature setting by 5-8 degrees during this time.
- 6 to 11 p.m. – For a comfortably warm evening, set your temperature to around 68 degrees for the time between when you get home and when you go to bed.
- 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. – For even more savings, reduce your temperature setting again for this period. You’ll be warm in bed, so you’ll experience no loss of comfort.
Choose reasonable temperatures. Programming your thermostat for 80 degrees won’t heat your house any faster. If it’s important your home reach specific temperatures on schedule, install a programmable thermostat with adaptive (“smart”) recovery.
Help Your Thermostat Perform
Replace the batteries in your thermostat every year. Your thermostat needs full battery power to correctly follow your programming.
If you leave home for a few days, take advantage of the “vacation” or “hold” setting. With this, you can set a constant, energy-saving temperature while you’re away without wiping out your normal temperature programming.
Use the “override” setting only when unusually cold weather increases your need for heat. Overusing this setting can lessen your energy savings.
Want more tips on heating and cooling your home affordably? Contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services in the Dayton area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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