One of the biggest utility expenses homeowners experience is heating and cooling their homes. Statistics show that heating and cooling can account for up to half of the energy costs of an average home. There are several ways that you can properly use your thermostat to help control your energy bill. Take a look at the top five:
1. Use the Thermostat as A Tool
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If you lower your thermostat by just a few degrees, you can save money. For instance, if you usually keep the temperature at 75 degrees, and you lower it to 72 degrees, you can save about 9% on your energy bill. This strategy also works during the summer months. Set your thermostat a few degrees higher when you are away from home, and you’ll see savings.
2. Understand How Your HVAC System Works
When adjusting the thermostat, many people incorrectly think that a furnace or cooling system will have to work harder to bring the space to the target temperature. However, when a home drops below the normal temperature, it will, in fact, lose energy more slowly — essentially, when the inside temperature is lower, less heat will be lost. Again, this works the same during the summer months — a higher interior temperature will slow heat entering your home.
3. Use a Programmable Thermostat
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Installing a programmable thermostat can automatically control the temperature for energy savings. They can lower or increase the temperature during those times when you are away from home or are asleep. Many of them can be programmed to run on individual schedules. While you are away or asleep, it is at one setting, and then goes to a different temperature when you arrive home or wake up in the morning.
You can find programmable thermostats that are electromechanical, digital, or a combination of the two. Electromechanical models feature sliding bars or pegs, and are generally easy to program. Digital thermometers offer more features such as multiple setting options and adjustments, but can be more difficult to program.
4. Location is Important
Believe it or not, the location of the thermostat can affect its efficiency. To ensure that a thermostat operates properly it should be on an interior wall, away from drafts, skylights, doors, windows, and drafts. Your thermostat should also be located where it can receive natural air currents, such as when warm air rises or cool air sinks. Make sure that furniture is not blocking these air currents. And finally, your thermostat should be located where it can be easily reached.
5. Consult a Professional
While installing a new thermostat can be an easy DIY project, it may be in your best interest to have a professional install it. An HVAC technician can ensure that the device is properly placed for maximum efficiency. This person can also help you program it for the best performance. Additionally, it is always a good idea to have your HVAC system inspected and maintained on a regular basis. You can see https://www.callthegeneral.com/hvac-installation/ for repair, maintenance, and installation services.
We have a programmable tihermostat it is wonderful.great money saver
Thank you for these tips on how to adjust a thermostat. I would love to be able to program a thermostat t in order to save money
I’ve had a programmable thermostat for many years. I upgraded it about 5 years ago. It really does save me money.
We have no thermostat here in this apartment. But I used to live in an apartment that had a great thermostat. Your tips are great! We lived in the desert in Nevada, so it was always hot, and the A/C was always on when we were home. But by changing it just a few degrees, like you said, we did notice a real difference in our electric bills. That money adds up!
These are some great tips that I did not know thanks so much for sharing them. It is heating up in our neck of the woods and we are going to be cranking that AC so this is great information to know. I think we are going to get a programmable thermostat and soon. I also like the tip to consult a professional. We need all the help we can get as our electric bill is way too high.
It is so nice to have the programmable thermostat so that we don’t have to remember to turn heat down when we are gone. I have found that to be a significant savings plus like the convenience.
We consistently keep our thermostat low in the winter (65 degrees) and high in the summer (78).
We have a programmable thermostat and have noticed such a difference with our bill! No need to heat/cool our house when nobody is home for hours!