If yours is a home that does not have a programmable thermostat (yet) then you may be wondering what all the fuss is about. After all a thermostat is just a thermostat and as long as it works why make the investment in yet another piece of fancy tech, unless you happen to be a gadget fanatic? In fact though, a programmable thermostat is far more than just another tech toy, it may just be the best investment you make for your home in years. And here are just three big reasons why.
Save Money
According to the Energy Information Administration, around 42% of average home energy costs are directly related to heating and cooling. The one thing you will hear about programmable thermostats over and over again is that they are energy savers. But how does that quite work and what can they do that a traditional thermostat cannot?
Basically they help overcome basic human failings. You may have heard that you really should turn up the thermostat on your air conditioning, rather than turning it off altogether, when no one is at home is a sensible and effective way to save energy. And it is indeed.
A ten degree increase will keep the home relatively cool and the AC won’t have to work so hard to cool off the space properly when everyone gets home, which will result in energy savings and help keep your air conditioning system in better working order. But, in the average busy household how many times do you think you will forget to adjust a traditional thermostat before you head out of the door? More than a few we’ll bet. A programmable thermostat takes care of that for you, so that you can save money every day.
Use Less Energy
While the actual dollar amount savings are certainly very important, so is using less energy to heat and cool your home in general. As your systems will not be running at ‘full tilt’ 24/7 you will be using less energy so the physical mechanical components won’t have to work so hard, which extends their useful life. Generally speaking HVAC systems that are in good repair use less energy to function too, so it’s a win win situation all around.
Live a Better Life
That’s a rather dramatic statement to make for sure, but those who have been using a programmable thermostat in their home for a while probably wouldn’t disagree with it too much.
Here’s just one example. Let’s assume that you do remember to turn up a traditional thermostat in your home by the suggested 10 degrees on a hot summer day. Well done, but you will be coming home to a house that is not very comfortable and you’ll have to wait a while for the A/C to do it’s job and cool things off again.
With a programmable thermostat however you can set it to begin the re-cooling process before you get home, which will allow you to walk into a home that is refreshingly cool and inviting. And you will still have been saving money and energy all day.
Programmable thermostats have their advantages in winter too. Most people quite sensibly turn their heating down overnight as they will be snugly wrapped up in their blankets and comforters all night. But there is that shock when you have to get up to a chillier home and, once again, wait for your systems to get to work once a manual thermostat is turned up. With a programmable version however it can be set to begin warming things up just before you get up, helping you avoid that nasty wake up shock.
If you have any questions about our range of services, please do not hesitate to contact us on 816-436-1000 or email us: service@arcticairkc.com. One of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members will be happy to assist you in any way they can and answer all your queries.