How To Set Your Thermostat For Saving Money
Energy and fuel prices seemingly always go up, especially in months of extreme temperatures. Knowing how to set your thermostat for saving money is a strategy that can produce measurable results. The few minutes that you spend adjusting the heating and cooling schedule can cut costs by 10%.
8 Hours Of Reduced Temperature For Maximum Savings
To achieve utility savings up to 10%, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends reducing the temperature by 7 to 10 degrees. You must have this lower setting for at least eight hours a day. Savings arise from cutting back on both heating and cooling.
Tools Needed
- Operation guide for your programmable thermostat
A Word Of Caution About Electric Heating
The heating temperature reduction produces the best results with gas furnaces. Air source or geothermal heat pumps do not benefit as much from lowering the thermostat setting. Electric heat pump systems need more time to restore heat, unlike a gas-powered system.
Electric air conditioning, however, does use less power when you turn it down eight or more hours a day. Your home will only need about 20 or 30 minutes to cool down after being left warmer for a period.
Step by Step Directions:
- Decide on an eight-hour period for reduced heating or cooling. This could be while everyone is away at work or during overnight sleeping hours. To save on heating, lowering the temperature when you sleep may be beneficial. According to the Sleep Foundation, 65 degrees is considered an ideal temperature for sleeping.
- Make sure that your thermostat is set for the correct time. You may want to adjust it twice a year when the clocks change.
- Follow the thermostat’s directions for selecting temperatures for different time periods.
- Make adjustments according to your schedule. You may want different temperature settings on your days off.
- Allow 30 minutes for your home to return to its normal temperature before you wake up or get home. The system needs some time to heat or cool the space.
- If you’re home unexpectedly during the scheduled downtime, use the HOLD or OVERRIDE button on the thermostat. This lets you choose whatever temperature that you want instead of the scheduled temperature.
Can I Save Money Without A Programmable Thermostat?
Yes, but you’ll have to adjust the temperature manually two or more times a day. You’ll likely forget sometimes. This will undermine your energy savings compared to what can be accomplished with automatic temperature changes.
Upgrade Your Heating And Cooling System
A technician from Oliver can install a programmable thermostat if you don’t have one. Then, you can follow the directions for how to set your thermostat for saving money. A tune-up of your equipment will improve performance as well. Too many years without maintenance increases energy usage. If your furnace or air conditioner is getting old, a new system will be more efficient. Talk to us today about a new heating or cooling system.
