A programmable thermostat can help you rake in the energy savings, but there's a hitch: You've got to pick one you'll actually use.
It's official: The programmable thermostat
is the VCR of our day. Why? We think they're too complicated.
According to a study by the Lawrence
Berkeley National Lab, nearly 90% of Americans say they've rarely (or never)
programmed their thermostat because they're not sure how to do it.
But it's really not that hard, and it's definitely worth doing because it can save you up to 15% a year on energy costs.
The first step is to pick the thermostat that best suits your scheduling needs so you can "set it and forget it," an approach the U.S. Energy Department advocates to get the most savings.
Picking the Right Thermostat
There are four types of programmable thermostats, each with a distinctive scheduling style:
But it's really not that hard, and it's definitely worth doing because it can save you up to 15% a year on energy costs.
The first step is to pick the thermostat that best suits your scheduling needs so you can "set it and forget it," an approach the U.S. Energy Department advocates to get the most savings.
Picking the Right Thermostat
There are four types of programmable thermostats, each with a distinctive scheduling style:
•7-day programming. Best for individuals or families with erratic schedules, since
this is the most flexible option. It lets you program a different
heating/cooling schedule for each day of the week. Average price range: $55-$125.
•5-1-1 programming. One heating/cooling schedule for the week, plus you can schedule a
different heating/cooling plan for Saturday and Sunday. Average price range:
$35-$78.
•5-2 programming. Same as 5-1-1 programming, except Saturday and Sunday will have
the same heating/cooling plan. Average price range: $28-$30.
•1-week programming. You can only set one heating/cooling plan that will be repeated
daily for the entire week. Average price range: $20-$23.
You'll need a program for both the cooler
months and the warmer months.
TIP: Before buying
a programmable thermostat, identify the type of equipment used to heat and cool
your home so you can check for compatibility. For example, do you have central
heating and cooling, or just a furnace or baseboard heating? Otherwise, you may
not reap the rewards of energy savings and may risk harming your heating and
cooling
(http://www.houselogic.com/maintenance-repair/preventative-home-maintenance/heating-cooling/)
equipment.
Programming the Thermostat
Most programmable thermostats have a
pre-programmed setting that's supposed to be for the typical American family.
But what family is typical these days? You need to adjust the thermostat's
settings so it's in sync with the life you and your family lead instead of some
mythical family.
Programming options are based on:
Programming options are based on:
•Wake Time
•Sleep Time
•Leave Time
•Return Time
The U.S Department of Energy suggests the
following settings in order to shave up to 15% off your energy bill:
Winter months:
Winter months:
•For the hours you're home and awake,
program the temp to 68 deg F.
•Lower by 10 deg; to 15 deg;
for the hours you're asleep or out of the house.
Summer months:
•For the hours you're home, program
air conditioning to 78 deg F.
•For the days you don't need cooling,
manually shut off the AC. Keep in mind, it will kick back on if the house gets
too warm.
•Program the AC to shut off during the
hours you're out of the house.
Here are a few programming timing tips that
can help you create the best set-it-and-forget-it heating and cooling schedule
for your home:
•Shut down heat or air conditioning 20
to 30 minutes before you leave home each day.
•Turn on heat or air conditioning 20
to 30 minutes before you come home each day.
•Reduce the heating or cooling 60
minutes before you go to sleep each night.
•Increase heating or cooling about 30
minutes before you wake up each morning.
Spend time tweaking your program for a few
days to make sure it feels right.
TIP: With a
Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat, you can control your home's temperature while on the
go. That way, you're not wasting energy if you're running late or forgot to
create a new program before going on vacation.
FYI: A
furnace does NOT have to work harder to warm a house after the temperature has
been set low during the day.
Thermostats That Make Programming Easier
Want something that's simpler? Newer more
high-tech models have simplified the process:
•The Nest Learning Thermostat: It creates a custom heating and cooling schedule for your home
based on motion detection technology. Plus since it is Wi-Fi, it can be
controlled remotely. Price: $250.
•Honeywell Wi-Fi Smart Thermostat: This device makes it easy to create a custom heating and cooling
plan. Unlike conventional programmable thermostats, it has a large color
interface that displays a simple menu that walks you through all the
programming steps. It also "learns" your home and will send you
personal notifications if the temperature is not right, or if there's a power
outage. Price: $199.
FYI:
Thermostats made prior to 2001 may contain mercury. To see if your programmable
thermostat contains mercury, check with the manufacturer. If you decide to
dispose of a thermostat that contains mercury, check out how to do so safely in
your area at Thermostat Recycling Corporation
(http://www.thermostat-recycle.org/). (Not sure why mercury is so bad? Here's
the skinny: It's toxic and it never breaks down. When it enters the waste
stream, it permanently damages the ecosystem.)
Have questions or need help programming
your thermostat? Below are tech support numbers for popular manufacturers:
•Honeywell: Wi-Fi Models:
1-855-733-5465
•Honeywell: All other thermostats:
1-800-468-1502
•Hunter: 1-888-830-1326
•White Rodgers: 1-800-284-2925
•Trane: 1-877-288-7707
Article From HouseLogic.com
By: Deirdre Sullivan
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