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The thermostat can be one of the most underrated pieces of equipment in your home. Often, the focus is placed on the efficiency of the HVAC unit, but the thermostat plays a crucial role in operating both pieces of equipment.

To get the most out of your thermostat, you must utilize the programmable feature. By programming your thermostat, you can save a significant amount of money over the year.

Read on to find out how you can get the most out of your thermostat.

Programming a Thermostat

you can program most digital thermostats. While this may seem a bit overwhelming, it is a great way to save money and energy. Depending on the thermostat you have, there are likely many features available.

When you prepare to program your thermostat, you need to plan carefully to make sound energy decisions. Once you have programmed the thermostat, it is best to leave it alone until you need to make a change. If you change the thermostat too frequently, you will likely not see the energy savings you hope to.

Considerations

Don’t just jump into programming your thermostat because you may end up costing yourself more money than you intend to. Before you begin programming your thermostat, several things need to be considered.

  • Schedule: Think about the schedule your family keeps. If nobody is home, you likely won’t need your home as warm or cool as it would be while you are there. Because of this, you can set your thermostat to match.
  • Comfort: Consider the temperature you need to be comfortable during awake and asleep hours. You can set the thermostat to match your desired temperature.

Once you have determined the best schedule and settings for your home, you are ready to program the thermostat.

Best Temperature

The best temperature to set your thermostat at is entirely up to you and your family, but it is recommended that you keep it set at 68 in the winter during the day and 65 at night (Source: ARS Network). In the summer, the temperature will need to be a bit higher at 78 degrees during the day and around 67 at night (Source: Volunteer Energy).

It is important to understand that the recommended temperatures may not be best for your family. If this is the case, you will need to make adjustments as needed. If you are hoping to adjust the temperature, it is best to make the changes gradually, so it isn’t shocking.

Does Location Matter

Most thermostats are located on the wall in an area of the home that is convenient to access. When placing a thermostat, it is essential to remember the location in the home matters if you want it to be efficient.

  • Interior wall: You always want to ensure the thermostat is placed on an interior wall. If you place a thermostat on an exterior wall, it will not accurately read the inside temperature.
  • Out of sunlight: When placing the thermostat, you want to make sure it is not in the direct line of the sunlight. The heat from the sun will cause inaccurate readings, and the HVAC system won’t work correctly.
  • Clear Wall: Make sure nothing is obstructing the airflow around the thermostat. If the airflow is blocked, it won’t give an accurate reading.

How Much Can You Save?

Perhaps you are wondering just how much money you can save by using your thermostat correctly. While the savings will likely not be immediate, you will notice them over time; you will likely be able to save around $180 for the year (Source: Green Mountain Energy).

Are All Thermostats the Same?

When it comes to choosing a thermostat for your home, you will find many different options to choose from. An experienced HVAC company can likely lead you to the best choice for your home and unit. There are four basic types of thermostats to consider.

Programmable

Programmable thermostats allow you to pre-set the temperature in your home for specific times during the day. This type of thermostat provides you with the ability to tailor your home’s temperature to the exact needs of your family.

These thermostats are preferred by many because they can help reduce the wear and tear on your heating and cooling unit. There is not as much risk of overusing your HVAC unit when the temperature can remain constant.

(Source: Solve it Now)

non-Programmable

Non-programmable thermostats are the most basic of thermostats. They are often referred to as manual because there is no programming option. You must turn the thermostat on and off and set it to the desired temperature.

These are not the most energy-efficient thermostats to use because they cannot self-regulate. Because of this, you will likely not see significant savings unless you are incredibly diligent with adjusting the temperature.

(Source: Bob Vila)

Smart

A smart thermostat is one of the most easily accessible thermostats on the market. You can easily control a Smart thermostat from anywhere inside or outside your home. Smart thermostats can be controlled with devices like phones and tablets.

These thermostats are a great way to increase your energy efficiency because not only are they programmable, but they can monitor all aspects of your HVAC system. Another appealing feature of a smart thermostat is receiving maintenance notifications.

(Source: Digital Trends)

Wi-Fi

Wi-fi thermostats are popular because they allow you to use your Wi-Fi connection to control your thermostat. While Wi-Fi thermostats aren’t quite as advanced as Smart thermostats, they will enable you to check your home’s temperature with a device when you are away.

(Source: Family Handyman)

Final Thoughts

Programming your thermostat appropriately will allow you to get the most out of your HVAC unit and provide you with the most significant savings possible. If you are uncertain about the type of thermostat that would work best for your home, it would be wise to seek the advice of a licensed HVAC company. Not only will they be able to help with the selection, but they will likely install it for you too.

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