Optimal Use Of Your Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat can save you a lot of money, but like any tool, you have to know how to use it. When you invest in a programmable thermostat for your home, you can significantly increase your energy savings by using its settings to your advantage.

Installation is the first step to a functional thermostat and an efficient heating system, so be sure to carefully consider how and where you install your programmable thermostat. Carefully follow all instructions on the packaging, and remember these installation guidelines:

• You can install your new thermostat in the same place as your old thermostat, assuming your old one was in a proper location. If you had heating problems with your previous thermostat, you might want to take the opportunity to find a better location for the new one.
• Choose a non-drafty location on an interior wall for best results. On an exterior wall, the outdoor temperature can throw off the thermostat’s sensor. Drafts have a similar effect.
• Avoid installing a thermostat anywhere near doors, windows, heat-producing appliances, direct sunlight, heating vents and registers.

Settings are the other key component to saving energy with your new thermostat. Programmable thermostats offer much greater flexibility than manual thermostats, with the ability to automatically adjust your home’s temperature according to your needs at different times of the day and different days of the week. Be sure to take advantage of all your new thermostat has to offer.

• Winter settings: You can maximize your savings by setting your thermostat no higher than 70 degrees when you’re home, like in the morning and evening. You can program your thermostat to automatically lower the temperature by an additional five, 10 or even 15 degrees when there’s no one home or everyone is asleep.
• Summer settings: Keep your thermostat set no lower than 78 degrees while you’re home. While you’re out of the house, you can set it 10 degrees higher.

To find out more about how you can benefit from a programmable thermostat, contact Paschal Heat, Air & Geothermal. We’ve been providing expert service in northwest Arkansas for more than 40 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about programmable thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Paschal Heating, Air & Geothermal services Northwest Arkansas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!