You have likely heard that having a programmable thermostat can reduce your heating and cooling costs. While this is certainly true, you don’t automatically save just by swapping out your old manual thermostat for a programmable one. To optimize your savings, you must select, set up and use a programmable thermostat effectively.

As reported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), homeowners can save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs if you use a programmable thermostat to automatically change the temperature 7 to 10 degrees from its normal setting for eight hours every day. For the average home, this amounts to around $180 per year. Try these programmable thermostat tips to save the most on your heating and cooling bills.

How to Shop for a Programmable Thermostat

As you look at different thermostats, check their compatibility with the rest of your HVAC system. As an example, radiant floor heating can call for a different type of thermostat than one created for forced-air heating and cooling.

Then, evaluate the scheduling controls. Most programmable thermostats have four daily programs—Wake, Leave, Home and Sleep, or something similar. Separate models offer varied levels of control during the week. Here are the four primary options:

7-day programming provides a different schedule every day. This is best if your family’s schedule varies regularly.
5-1-1 programming offers a weekday schedule and separate Saturday/Sunday schedules. This is best if your routine is about the same Monday through Friday but different on Saturday and Sunday.
5-2 programming lets you set separate weekday and weekend schedules.
1-week programming creates one schedule for the entire week.

How to Set Up a Programmable Thermostat

The capability to schedule setback periods while you're out of the house or sleeping makes it easier to save energy with a programmable thermostat. Create the settings you want at the start of the season. While you can determine the times and temperatures that are best for your family’s schedules, here’s how the average weekday schedule might look:

Wake at 7:00 am: The thermostat provides a comfortable temperature in time for you to start your day. The DOE recommends 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees during the summer.
Leave at 8:00 am: Program the thermostat to adjust the temperature back 10 degrees around 30 minutes before leaving for work. This setting should be about 58 degrees during the winter and 88 degrees over the summer.
Home at 5:30 pm: The automatic recovery schedule resumes a comfortable temperature before you are home for the day. This setting should be about 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees during the summer.
Sleep at 10:30 pm: Program the thermostat to the nighttime temperature around 30 minutes before bed. This nighttime setting should be set to 65 degrees in the winter and 80 degrees through the summer.

Getting Maximum Savings from a Programmable Thermostat

The best aspect of a programmable thermostat is that you can save energy without sacrificing comfort. Try these tips to get the most from your upgrade:

Don't override programmed settings: You can always override the set temperature if you are uncomfortable. That said, your energy usage will increase if you constantly change the settings. Don an extra layer in the winter or turn on a fan in the summer before touching the thermostat.
Use the correct hold feature: All programmable thermostats allow temporary overrides without deleting the existing setting. This is referred to as a “temporary hold,” which only persists until the next programmed time. The “permanent/vacation hold” is for when you leave for longer periods. This overrides the settings indefinitely. The thermostat won’t go back to your regular schedule until you manually remove the hold.
Don’t make steep temperature changes: When you must override a setting, adjust the thermostat by just a degree or two. You should feel more comfortable after making this slight adjustment while preventing the energy waste of cranking the temperature way up or down.
Replace the batteries: Most programmable thermostats use batteries to stop the settings from being deleted because of a power outage. Make a habit of checking the batteries yearly at a time you can easily remember, like the new year or when the kids return to school in the fall.

Start Saving by Installing a Programmable Thermostat

If you're ready to set it and forget it, call Service Experts for help choosing and installing a programmable thermostat. We can also provide details about Wi-Fi programmable thermostats, which offer even more benefits thanks to remote temperature control, learning capabilities, motion sensors, auto-generated energy reports and more. For more details or to request a free thermostat assessment, please contact your local Service Experts office today.