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The average household spends quite a bit annually on energy bills. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) reports $2,000 is the average annual household energy bill. Of this total amount, cooling and heating costs account for up to half of that total. Fortunately, it is possible to save on energy costs by using a programmable thermostat.
By using a programmable thermostat…
you can significantly reduce your energy costs while increasing the comfort levels of your home. In this article, we will discuss how to use a programmable thermostat and how these thermostat features help reduce your energy costs.
How Do They Work?
The Lawrence Berkeley National Lab reports that 90% of Americans rarely, if ever, adjust their programmable thermostat. The primary reason for not changing the default setting is simple. Many people simply do not know how to do it. To learn how, take a look at the guides and manuals that came with the thermostat. This can help you understand the proper usage of all the features. Or, look up a few tutorials online. After all, you will not be able to lower your energy usage and save money with a programmable thermostat if you do not know how to utilize it properly.
Use The Energy Saving Mode
The energy saving mode is a great way to avoid heating or cooling your home during those times when nobody is home. Set your thermostat to revert to this mode. There is no wasted energy when doing this. Even when you are away from your home for several hours, you can save money by lowering the thermostat in the winter. Lower it by five to eight degrees. You can raise the thermostat by 5-8 degrees during the summer, when the AC is on. The same is true during the nighttime hours when there is less need for using your heater during the winter. Lowering the thermostat in this way will result in lower power bills.
Understanding And Using “Vacation” Or “Hold” Features
Although these features can save energy and money when used properly, they can actually be inefficient if used improperly.
These features should be used when you plan to be away from the home for extended periods of time. For example, if nobody is going to be home during the weekend, the “hold/vacation” feature can be useful. In the winter, setting the thermostat a few degrees lower when you will not be home, or a few degrees higher in the summer, can help lower energy costs.
Avoid Drastic Temperature Differences
Raising or lowering your thermostat by a large temperature margin is not helpful. Doing so does not heat or cool the home more quickly. The only exception is for thermostats that have adaptive recovery features. In this case, the thermostat is pre-programmed. It achieves the designated temperature at the designated time. Keeping an eye on your thermostat is a good way to make sure it is regulating your home’s temperature efficiently.
Create Multiple Zones
Having a single thermostat within a home is common. However, you can divide your home into heating and cooling zones. Within these zones, you can install a separate programmable thermostat. This can help save money. By doing so, you can customize your heating and cooling to how the various zones are used. Always hire a professional to install the additional thermostats. This ensures the work is performed in accordance with electrical standards and regulations.
Check Your Thermostat
If your thermostat is not functioning properly, you cannot expect it to be doing its job. Perform a checkup on your thermostat on a regular basis. For example, if the display indicates weak batteries, be sure to swap them out.
Programmable Thermostat Clinton CT
In summary, a programmable thermostat can be a very useful device. According to the EPA’s Energy Star program, a savings of up to $180 annually is possible. However, in order to reap the money-saving benefits, it is important to use the thermostat correctly. You can lower your energy bills by:
- understanding the features
- avoiding drastic temperature variations
- creating multiple heating and cooling zones
- keeping the thermostat in good working order
Not only can you reduce your energy costs by using a programmable thermostat, but you can also help reduce these costs by scheduling an annual tune-up for your heater and air conditioner. Be sure to contact Wilcox Energy. We offer programmable thermostat installation and heating and cooling services. All of our contractors are NATE certified which means that you can trust us to do the job accurately. Let us help you reduce your home heating and cooling costs. Call us today to speak with one of our home comfort specialists.
We service Centerbrook CT 06409, Clinton CT 06413, Deep River CT 06417, Ivoryton CT 06442, Killingworth CT 06419, Old Saybrook CT 06475, Westbrook CT 06498, and surrounding areas.
For more information about heating and cooling systems, be sure to contact Wilcox Energy. You can contact us at (860) 399-6218. We offer a full line of heater and air conditioner repairs, maintenance services, and installations.