A programmable thermostat can help you to save a lot of money over the heating season—but only if you’re using it right. Don’t know how to program your thermostat for maximum efficiency? Check out our guide, and try to locate your thermostat manual for information about how to use the controls. You may even be able to find a copy of the manual online, or you can call a friendly heating and air conditioning technician for more information.
- Find an efficient temperature: Finding an efficient temperature that everyone in the home can agree on is the first step toward a more efficient home. Constantly readjusting the settings may overwork the system and use even more energy, so it’s better to settle on a temperature that you will use most of the time while you are home. The Energy Department recommends 68 degrees Fahrenheit as an efficient but comfortable heating setting.
- Don’t raise the temperature to try to heat the home faster: When you run inside to escape the cold, your first instinct may be to run to the thermostat to crank up the temperature so you warm up quickly. But this isn’t really how a thermostat works—a higher temperature setting cannot heat the home any faster, and you’ll just use more energy than you need to. Instead, have the thermostat programmed to raise the temperature to its normal home setting 20 minutes before you arrive.
- Lower the temperature while you are away: Lowering the temperature by 10-15 degrees for eight hours a day can help you to save up to 15% on heating costs.
- Upgrade your thermostat: You may decide to upgrade to a smart thermostat that you can operate and monitor from an app on your phone for the ultimate in comfort and convenience. Call a technician for more information or to schedule an upgrade today.
When you want thermostat replacement services in Coeur d’Alene, ACI Northwest is here to help with your home comfort needs or concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us for helpful advice.