Programmable Thermostats: They DO Save Money If They’re Used Right

Programmable thermostats are designed to help homeowners save energy dollars by providing convenient temperature programming changes automatically. Make sure you use the thermostat’s features wisely and consistently, and you can see nice energy savings month after month.

The Right Way To Energy Savings

According to Energy.gov (Department of Energy program and website), if you set back or turn up the thermostat (heating and cooling months, respectively) seven to 10 degrees for eight hours a day, you may reduce your heating and cooling bills by up to 10 percent.

When you consider how many hours are spent away from home at work, and the number of sleeping hours when you can make moderate temperature adjustments, programmable thermostats can be a vital tool for your energy-savings strategy. Use these tips to use your thermostat correctly:

• Try to schedule minimum eight-hour blocks of energy-saving settings. This could include modest energy-savings settings during sleeping hours, perhaps 4 to 6 degrees variance from your comfort temperature, and more aggressive energy-saving settings during working hours.
• Remember that turning the heat way up or lowering the temperature well beyond your normal comfort settings does not heat or cool your home any faster. It only creates a situation where you are wasting energy by using the “hold” feature to override program settings. This is an important reason why modest temperature changes are recommended in the beginning, and during sleeping hours, so that you won’t be tempted to override programs and lose any savings you’ve already earned.
• It can be very tempting to reward yourself on occasion by, again, using the “hold” feature. Try to resist this temptation. It’s better and easier to make moderate and consistent savings than fiddling with manual temperature changes.
• Consider using the keypad lockout feature so that you control the temperatures, since you’re paying the energy bill. If occupants are home when you’re working, for instance, you want them to be comfortable of course, but you don’t want anyone wasting energy.

For more information about using programmable thermostats in your Portland area home, please contact us at (503) 266-1249 today.