Programmable Thermostats

Facts:

• • According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the proper use of a programmable thermostat can cut heating and cooling bills by from 5 to 20 percent.
  • A programmable thermostat lets you set a schedule that will automatically change the temperature of your home—or certain areas of your home—several times during a 24-hour period.
  • Some models allow you to set up different programs to fit with your weekend and weekday routines.

Features:

• • Keep the temperature set at its energy savings set-points for long periods of time (at least eight hours), for example, during the day when no one is at home and through the night after bedtime.
  • All thermostats let you temporarily make an area warmer or cooler without erasing the pre-set programming. This override is cancelled automatically at the next program period. You use more energy (and pay more on energy bills) if you consistently override the pre-programmed settings.
  • Units typically have two types of override features: 
- hold/permanent/vacation
- temporary
  • Avoid using the hold/permanent/vacation feature to manage day-to-day temperature settings. Hold or vacation features are for when you're planning to be away for an extended period. Set this feature at a constant, efficient temperature (i.e. several degrees warmer in summer, several degrees cooler in winter), when going away for the weekend or on vacation. You'll waste energy and money if you leave this feature at the comfort setting while you're away.
  • Most homes use just one thermostat to control the whole house. If your home has multiple heating or cooling zones, you'll need a programmable thermostat for each zone to maximize comfort, convenience, and energy savings throughout the house.