Programmable Thermostat Settings for Fall
Have you ever noticed how the first few days of fall weather often seem much colder than they actually are? 65 degrees can feel a lot closer to 50 degrees when you’re acclimated to warm summer weather! When this happens, you may be tempted to crank your thermostat all the way up. And while your toes may thank you, your pocketbook surely will not once energy bills come a-calling.
Here are a few tips on how to master your thermostat, maximize your unit’s energy efficiency – and ultimately save on energy bills this fall.
Non-Programmable Thermostats
Older units may still have non-programmable thermostats which require manual adjustments for temperature changes throughout the day. Constant temperature fluctuations are the enemy of energy efficiency here! If you have a non-programmable thermostat, think with setting a median temperature for you home and sticking with it. A good average for your home is 68 degrees.
Your New Best Friend: Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat can help you avoid succumbing to the urge to skyrocket your thermostat. A quick rule of thumb: For every degree that you lower your thermostat during fall and winter, you can save 1-3% on your heating bill. Use this trick to program your thermostat with lower temperatures during extended periods during of the day when your family is at work or school or at night when everyone is sound asleep in warm beds.
Here’s a sample schedule that is efficiency and pocket-book friendly:
6:45 am: Your family wakes up and preps for the day. Your thermostat kicks on in advance to brings the internal temperature to 68° by 6:30 am – just before everyone is out of bed
7:45 am: It’s off to work (or school) you go! The thermometer adjusts to 58°. Turning the thermostat down 10° to 15° for 8 hours could save 5% to 15% a year on your energy bill.
4:30 pm: The family begins arriving home from their days. Your thermostat begins warming back to 68° in advance to prep for their return.
10:30 pm: Everyone’s bundled warm and tight in bed with pajamas and blankets. Your thermostat drops down to 58°F.
And voilà! An entire day of energy efficient heating built around your schedule – and you never have to touch your thermostat. Note that all programmable thermostats allow you to temporarily make your home warmer or cooler than its original setting without overriding the programming.
Contact Columbia HVAC to discuss your options for energy-efficient heating & cooling. Our technicians can help you install smart thermostats like the Ecobee4 – a voice activated thermostat integrated with Amazon Echo that won’t just save you up to 23% on your energy costs, but can also play your favorite tunes or even read you a bedtime story!
And did you know that all new installs come with a brand new programmable thermostat system for FREE?