Many people wonder if their programmable thermostat actually reduces energy costs. Those who do not have one wonder if they should upgrade. The answer is that a programmable thermostat can indeed save energy, but it depends on how you use it. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save as much as 1% off your annual heating bill for every degree you lower the thermostat over an eight-hour period. For instance, if you lower the temperature by 4 degrees from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., you could save 4% on your yearly heating costs!

Some people find it difficult to program digital thermostats. If you are having one installed, ask the technician to program it for you before he or she leaves. For those who would rather program it themselves, but find digital difficult to use, there are electro-mechanical systems that typically feature pegs or sliding bars, and are relatively simple to program. The downside is that this type of thermostat normally has less programmability than the aforementioned digital type of thermostat.

Some programmable thermostats allow you to set “wake” and “sleep” times for all days, as well as “leave” and “return” times for the weekdays. This type of thermostat allows you to save during the night while asleep and during weekdays if the house is empty, when cooler settings will not affect comfort. There are even Wi-Fi controlled thermostats that can be programmed from anywhere, and “smart” thermostats that adjust to your lifestyle.

When programming your thermostat, think about when you want more warmth and comfort in the house, and when it’s not necessary. If there is a block of time where the house will be empty, it makes sense to adjust the temperature to a lower more energy efficient setting.

Langton Mechanical installs all kinds of thermostats, including smart thermostats that can be programmed anywhere Wi-Fi is available. Call us for all your heating and cooling needs.