Energy Efficient Ways to Program Your Thermostat

Summary

Whether it’s a hot summer day or the dead of winter, one of the most beneficial things you can do for your wallet is efficiently program your thermostat. So, how exactly does one program their thermostat to save them money while simultaneously regulating the temperature in their home?

Here we have broken down the do’s, don’ts, and quick tips to beat the heat (or the cold) and even save some money while you’re at it.

Contents

• Programming Your Thermostat
• Find the Best Temperature Schedule for You
• Financial Savings

Programming Your Thermostat

Most people admit to rarely or never programming their thermostat because they’re simply unaware of how to do it. The first step is to make sure you have a programmable system so you can “set it and forget it.”

There are a number of different types of thermostats that are programmable and whichever you have or choose is dependent on which best suits your day to day regimen but can all benefit you differently.

1-week programming – Your heating/cooling preference remains the same every day for the entire week.

5-2 programming – One heating/cooling setting for the weekdays (M-F) and one heating/cooling setting for the weekends (Sat & Sun).

5-1-1 programming – One heating/cooling setting for the weekdays (M-F) and one heating/cooling setting for the weekends (Sat & Sun) but Saturday and Sunday’s settings can differ.

7-day programming – The most flexible option, a different heating/cooling setting for each day of the week. This option is best for families who may have chaotic and differing schedules.

Find the Best Temperature Schedule for You

Programming your thermostat can feel a bit overwhelming as every person’s schedule can be unique and ever-changing. The best place to begin is by resetting your thermostat’s factory settings. Most every system comes pre-programmed with a “typical” schedule and can easily be reset following your systems instruction manual.

Next, program your thermostat to coincide with the following program options.

• Wake Time
• Sleep Time
• Leave Time
• Return Time 

To ensure that you’re being energy efficient and saving the most money possible, we recommend following these guidelines according to season.

• Winter Months – For the times you are at home and awake, program your thermostat to a comfortable and preferred temperature. When you are away or asleep, lower that temperature by 10 degrees.

• Summer Months – For the times you are at home and awake, program your thermostat to a comfortable and preferred temperature. When you are away or don’t need air conditioning, shut off the system and be aware that if your home reaches a temperature that is “too hot,” it will manually kick back on and lower the temperature to an appropriate level.

In addition to these heating and cooling schedules, here are some quick tips to reach peak efficiency when programming your thermostat. In other words, here are the best tips to “set it and forget it.”

• Adjust and tweak your program to ensure that it fits your schedule well. If you find that your initial go at it doesn’t work well, don’t be afraid to alter it until it does.

• Increasing your heating or cooling about 30 minutes prior to waking up.

• Reduce your heating or cooling about 1 hour before going to sleep.

• Turn on your air conditioning or heat about 30 minutes before you arrive back home.

• Shut off your air conditioning or heat about 30 minutes before you leave the house.

• Consider investing in a smart thermostat. These allow you to program them on the go and are a great option for people or families whose schedules are ever changing.

• A furnace that has been set to a lower temperature during the day will not have to work “harder” to heat the home.

Financial Savings

By programming your thermostat, how much are you saving exactly? According to the Energy Information Administration, an estimated 46% of home energy costs go to heating and cooling. Depending on how efficiently your thermostat is programmed, your savings can be anywhere between 10%-30%. Of course, there are other variables at work including the size of your home, the age of your heating/cooling system, the climate in which you live, the type of programmable thermostat, and the programming schedule you follow.

We hope you’ll consider programming your thermostat to increase efficiency and decrease the money you spend on energy bills each month. By following the tips in this article, we’re confident you’ll be seeing results in no time. If you have any further questions or need assistance, contact our knowledgeable and skilled staff to assist you.

Bonus Tip: Replacing old heating and cooling systems with more energy-efficient models can save 20-40% on energy bills, especially if the current systems are outdated.

Team Enoch: Expert Air Conditioning Services and More

Understanding how to properly program your thermostat can be one of the biggest money savers you can employ within your household. A poorly programmed thermostat can not only cause your energy bill to spike but can also cause unnecessary wear and tear on your heating and cooling system.

The expert HVAC technicians at Team Enoch are ready to assist with any air conditioning installations or HVAC services you may need. We serve residential and commercial customers in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin, and other nearby communities. Give Team Enoch a call today if you have any questions about our services!