For the average Kansas City area homeowner almost half of their energy bill is devoted annually to the cost of heating and cooling their homes. This means that any money you can save will be a plus. And, as you have probably heard before, one of the best ways to do that is to install a programmable thermostat.
It is not just hype though, a programmable thermostat really is a great investment. Not only is it convenient, but it can pay for itself in less than a year in most cases. However, there are some things you can do to make your programmable thermostat to make it even more efficient.
Here’s a look at some of the biggest.
Choose the Right Programmable Thermostat For You
There are a growing number of choices available if you are shopping for a new programmable thermostat for your home. The key to finding the right one for you is to look behind the glossy advertising at just what each one really has to offer.
Newer programmable thermostats offer full customization down to the minute. But ensure that the one you choose suits your lifestyle. Some can be programmed to create schedules up to a week, or even a month in advance. If you have a regular schedule that’s great. But if your schedule is unpredictable or changes often, choosing an option that gives you even more control is a must.
Almost all of us would like to be able to control the thermostat from our phones too, but if yours is a home where family members come and go at different times then you will want to ensure that multiple mobile users can access the settings on the go.
Location, Location, Location!
Where you install your thermostat will often impact how well it works. Avoid installing it on exterior walls, or near doorways, vents, and windows. Your new programmable thermostat needs to offer an accurate reading of the temperature of your home. Sunlight from a window, air from a vent, or breezes from the doorway can alter your readings. If you are not sure where the optimal location is in your home, ask an HVAC professional for advice.
Optimize Your Programmable Thermostat Settings
Here’s the million dollar question; what temperature should you set your smart thermostat to? Essentially there are two goals you want to achieve when setting it. You want to limit the number of times your HVAC unit needs to come on in 24-hour period and conserve you’re asleep or out of your home.
Here are some basic guidelines that work well for the average temperatures in our area:
Winter
In the winter, set your thermostat in the day to 68° if you can. If you find that too cold, try not to go above 72°. At night, lower the temperature settings to about 60°. If you’re too cold, grab an extra blanket.
Summer
In the summertime, opt for a thermostat setting of about 78°. Wear lighter clothing or use a fan if you’re feeling sweaty. At night, bump it up a little. You can probably set it all the way up to about 82° and remain comfortable.
In General
If you’re out of the home on weekdays, you can use your nighttime settings for the hours you’re gone. Warm or cool the home to daytime temperature about a half an hour before you return, so you’re comfortable when you arrive.
Stick to Your Guns … And Your Settings
When you’re feeling a little hot, or slightly chilly, it’s tempting to press that little “hold†button. But once you set up your programmable thermostat, the best thing you can do is to leave it alone.
The “hold†button is used to override the programmable thermostat. If, for example, you’re home sick one day, you might change the temperature to something more comfortable and hit the “hold†button. That will set your system at that temperature until its next programmed change.
Even though it’s enticing, try to resist the temptation to change your settings. Instead, use coats and blankets or fans and open windows to make yourself more comfortable.
When you use the hold button, your system needs more energy to get back to the next set point. This costs money, and can even cancel out the savings you’ve seen after purchasing a programmable thermostat. Give it a week and if you find yourself feeling too hot or cold on a regular basis, change the programmed settings.
If you’re going away for the weekend or on a vacation, use a manual override of vacation settings to keep your system from running its regular schedule.
Change the Batteries Annually
One of the most common issues we see are HVAC systems that don’t work because the thermostat batteries need to be changed. While this may seem obvious, if you don’t change your batteries before they die, at some point your system will stop working.
By the time you realize this has happened, it may take a lot of energy to get your home back to the right temperature. Pick a holiday – Christmas, your birthday, or any other day – and set a calendar reminder to change your thermostat batteries. You may be replacing batteries with some juice left in them, but it’s better than paying more on your energy bill if the batteries go dead on their own.
If you would like to learn more about programmable thermostats for your home, contact us today. We’re always happy to help homeowners take control of their home energy usage – and lower their bills!