Save On Energy Costs With a Programmable Thermostat

Saving energy doesn’t sound exciting, but saving money does. By using a programmable thermostat, you can lower your heating and cooling bills by 10 percent and save $180 annually. Based on resident surveys, studies estimate that just 11 percent of homeowners in Monroe, NC, use their thermostat’s weekend and weekday settings as designed. Don’t leave money on the table. Start saving.

Recommended Thermostat Settings

Choosing your temperatures is arguably the most important part of the programming process. To begin, start with a comfortable at-home setting. Energy Star recommends 68 degrees in the winter and 78 degrees in the summer. These numbers are a good starting point for most families in Monroe and Charlotte.

Then, adjust the temperature by 5 to 8 degrees to determine your sleep and away settings. Lower the temperature in the winter, and raise it in the summer. For example, your setback temperature might be 62 degrees during the heating season and 82 degrees during the cooling season. Every degree counts. The Department of Energy says that a single degree can drive your energy use up by 5 percent or lower it by 2 percent.

Setting Your Programmable Thermostat for Savings

Next, it’s time to set up your day-to-day schedule. Depending on the model, you can program each day separately or create independent schedules for weekdays and weekends.

Three eight-hour slots are ideal for energy savings. The longer the setback, the more you’ll save. If your house will be empty for a few hours, include this in your schedule. For maximum savings, start the changeovers 20 to 30 minutes early.

Smart Thermostats and Home Automation Services

To learn more about the benefits of programmable controls, check out our selection of products online, or call Union Services in Monroe at 704-233-7029. As a factory-authorized contractor, we install Trane smart thermostats and Nexia home automation systems that improve your comfort and save you money.