Programmable Thermostats 101
Did You Know?
Did You Know?
The average household spends more than $2,200 a year on energy bills - nearly half of which goes to heating and cooling. Homeowners can save about $180 a year by properly setting their programmable thermostats and maintaining those settings.
Did you know that properly using a programmable thermostat in your home is one of the easiest ways you can save energy, money, and help fight global warming? A programmable thermostat helps make it easy for you to save by offering four pre-programmed settings to regulate your home's temperature in both summer and winter - when you are asleep or away.
The pre-programmed settings that come with programmable thermostats are intended to deliver savings without sacrificing comfort. Depending on your family's schedule, you can see significant savings by sticking with those settings or adjust them as appropriate for your family.
The key is to establish a program that automatically reduces heating and cooling in your home when you don't need as much. Use the programmable thermostat calculator to see what you can save with set-back temperatures that work for your family. The pre-programmed settings for a programmable thermostat are:
Programmable Thermostat Setpoint Times & Temperatures
Setting Time Setpoint Temperature (Heat) Setpoint Temperature (Cool)
Wake 6:00 a.m. ≤ 70° F ≥ 78° F
Day 8:00 a.m. Setback at least 8° F Setup at least 7° F
Evening 6:00 p.m. ≤ 70° F ≥ 78° F
Sleep 10:00 p.m. Setback at least 8° F Setup at least 4° F
I know that programmable thermostats aren’t right for everyone. Do you have recommendations on what type of households are best suited?
A programmable thermostat is ideal for individuals and families who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week, while away at work or at school. Through proper use of the 4 pre-programmed settings, you can save about 150 every year in energy costs. For individuals or families who are at home all day, and want a constant temperature throughout, a programmable thermostat will not save as much energy as in a home setting back / up during the day.
If you are home all day, your ceiling fan can help you stay warm or cool:
Where should a thermostat (programmable or otherwise) be located in your house? Can it be near a cold air intake? Is it worth having a thermostat moved if it is in a bad spot?
To work properly and efficiently, thermostats should be located away from any sources of cold or heat. Install your unit on an interior wall, away from heating or cooling vents and other sources of heat or drafts (doorways, windows, A/C vents, radiators/heating vents, skylights, direct sunlight or bright lamps). It is worth moving a thermostat if it’s in a bad spot, especially if you’re doing any renovations