Programmable thermostats are one of the most effective tools you can use to improve your home’s energy efficiency. Consider the following programmable thermostat tips to maximize how efficiently your Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, home uses energy for heating and cooling.
Choose the Right Thermostat
There are many options available to you when buying a programmable thermostat. Each thermostat comes with its own advantages and disadvantages, and it is important to choose the right one for your household. First, make sure you choose a thermostat that is compatible with your current HVAC unit. Otherwise, you risk losing out on efficiency benefits and potentially even increasing the wear and tear on your HVAC unit.
You will also want to choose a programmable thermostat that offers you the tools you will use the most. For example, some thermostats can only be programmed in seven-day increments while others let you adjust temperatures for each day of the week. This allows you to set different temperatures based on weekdays versus weekends. Wi-Fi thermostats are also available for remote use and can help you set your thermostat based on home habits. Usually, the programmable thermostats that allow you to personalize the most options will give you better efficiency results.
Install Your Thermostat in the Right Location
Once you have chosen the right programmable thermostat for your household, you will want to ensure that it is installed in the right place in your home. The thermostat should be in a central location that is away from direct sunlight, air vents, doors, and windows. You should also avoid placing it in unfrequented rooms in the house. The location of your thermostat can directly affect your home’s efficiency ratings as well as its comfort.
Consider Your Family’s Schedule
There is no single right setting for achieving energy efficiency. Your family’s schedule will affect how you program your thermostat. Dropping the temperature even a few degrees before bedtime and when everyone is away from the home can result in significant energy savings.
If you opt for a programmable thermostat that allows you to make changes based on the day of the week, you can even automatically increase the temperature in the house on the weekends when everyone is home. Consider your family’s schedule and then plan your programmable thermostat settings around that for the best results.
Take Advantage of Wi-Fi Features
If you and your family will be away from the home for a long period of time, consider programming your thermostat to maintain a constant moderate temperature in your home until you make any further changes. With a Wi-Fi thermostat, you can always access it remotely and adjust it if needed. You can even set the thermostat to your ideal temperature as you and your family are heading home. The same Wi-Fi feature can also be useful for dropping the temperature when you are away for the day and forgot to adjust it before leaving.
Stay Consistent
The best way to maximize your efficiency and cost savings with a programmable thermostat is to stay consistent. Stick to your pre-set schedules and avoid turning the thermostat way up or down. Wear extra layers during the winter and use a rotating fan to circulate cool air during the summer months. Using the thermostat to make sudden changes will waste energy and can defeat any cost savings you have already made.
Once you find a comfortable pre-set temperature schedule that works for your household, staying consistent is easy. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends a set it and forget it approach, making it easier than ever to achieve maximum household efficiency.
Installing a programmable thermostat is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to increase your home’s energy efficiency. Call McDevitt Air today at 877-692-9402 and let us show you this and more ways to improve your household’s energy efficiency.
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