Using a Programmable Thermostat: Optimal Settings for Maximum Energy Savings

If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, getting one could improve your home’s energy efficiency and have a huge positive impact on your comfort indoors. When used correctly, programmable thermostats help households achieve significant savings in their energy bills without them even noticing the difference in the temperatures at home. All you need to do to reap the benefits of your equipment is to learn how to setup a customized schedule. So, let’s take a look at how you can improve your thermostat settings for optimal performance.

Setting up a schedule for your thermostat

Your programmable thermostat will have options to set up a schedule that keeps you comfortable. The scheduling programs usually are 7-day, 5+2 day, and 5-1-1 day. These programs mean the ability to set up different schedules every day, for the weekdays, weekends, and Saturday and Sunday.

For most households, this is the optimal schedule for workdays:

• Morning: you definitely want to wake up to a comfortable home, so program your thermostat to adjust 15 minutes before your household gets up. Select a comfortable temperature and enjoy optimal efficiency and comfort.
• Day: When you leave the house for your daily activities for 8 hours or longer, turn up the temperature at home 10 to 15 degrees in the summer, and down 10 to 15 degrees in winter. Then set your thermostat to return to your preferred indoor temperature about 15 minutes before you are due home, and you won’t even feel the difference, but enjoy reduced energy costs and lower energy bills.
• Night: bed time is the perfect time to adjust the temperatures at home to save energy. So, set up your programmable thermostat to decrease cooling in the summer and reduce the heating in the winter as much as you are comfortable with, to enjoy a comfortable and energy efficient home. If you remember to set up the thermostat to return to your preferred temperature 15 minutes before you wake up, you won’t notice the differences in the temperature, but will see a significant decrease in your energy bills.

This schedule ensures that your home is just as comfortable as you want it to be when you are at home, and as efficient as possible when you are away.

Need help with your thermostat? Call HVAC Experts Chicago

Aren’t sure how the programs in your programmable thermostat work? Or maybe you would like to upgrade your basic thermostat to a programmable one? Experienced HVAC contractors at HVAC Experts Chicago are ready to help you out 24/7. Simply call us at (630) 216-8883 and we will answer all of your questions or send a technician to solve your problem as soon as possible.