According to the Department of Energy, leaving your thermostat set too high can lead to much higher utility bills come fall and winter. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but what might strike you is that you can save 5% to 15% by adjusting the temperature throughout the day. Worried about how you’ll be able to do that? Don’t be. Programmable thermostats are here to help!
With a programmable thermostat, you have the ability to enter multiple temperature settings based on the time of day. But you need to make sure you understand what you’re doing when it comes to the programming process. For starters, make sure your thermostat is in “program” mode rather than “hold” or any other mode that prevents the settings from actually being entered.
You should also be aware of common problems we see when it comes to programmable thermostats:
Problems with the thermostat itself: some models are difficult to operate and the instructions can be rather confusing. Try to look for a model that is user-friendly and if you don’t understand how it works, ask a professional to teach you.
The thermostat was already there when you moved in. This could mean that you don’t know how to work it and you may not have the instructions to boot. We recommend searching for the model online or replacing it with a newer model instead.
Misconceptions and other false information. You can’t believe everything you hear or read and this is definitely the case when it comes to keeping your home comfortable. For example, there’s a misconception that lowering the temperature on your thermostat will require more energy to warm the house back up again later.
Have questions about your programmable thermostat? Want to learn more about the benefits? Contact the heating and cooling experts at Uptown today!