Thermostats: One of the most important energy devices in your home

You can save money on your heating and cooling bills by merely resetting your thermostat when you are away from home or asleep. You can do this automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat.

Using a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the times you turn on the heating or air-conditioning according to a pre-set schedule. Programmable thermostats can store and repeat multiple daily settings (six or more temperature settings a day) that you can manually override without affecting the rest of the daily or weekly program.

 

You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to 68°F while you're awake and setting it lower while you're asleep or away from home. By turning your thermostat back 10° to 15° for 8 hours, you can save 5% to 15% a year on your heating bill -- a savings of as much as 1% for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long. The percentage of savings from setback is greater for buildings in milder climates than for those in more severe climates.

In the summer, you can follow the same strategy with central air conditioning by keeping your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lowering the thermostat setting to 78°F (26°C) only when you are at home and need cooling. Although thermostats can be adjusted manually, programmable thermostats will avoid any discomfort by returning temperatures to normal before you wake or return home.

Thermostats, where they are located in your home, and how you set them can be the most important factor in determining the size of your utility bill. The location of your thermostat can affect its performance and efficiency. Read the manufacturer's installation instructions to prevent "ghost readings" or unnecessary furnace or air conditioner cycling. To operate properly, a thermostat must be on an interior wall away from direct sunlight, drafts, doorways, skylights, and windows. It should be located where natural room air currents–warm air rising, cool air sinking–occur. Furniture will block natural air movement, so do not place pieces in front of or below your thermostat. Also make sure your thermostat is conveniently located for programming.

Slowly adjust the temperature on the thermostat to help ensure everyone in the family is comfortable. Reduce, or raise the temperature just one degree at a time and try it for a week. Each one-degree adjustment for an eight-hour period reduces your fuel bill costs. Gradually, you might be able to adjust three or even four degrees comfortably and save a sizeable amount of money.

Newer models have “smart” features such as preprogrammed “night” and “vacation” energy-saving settings that automatically lower the temperature. You’ll never forget to turn down the heat because the thermostat does it for you. Make sure you set the program to fit your schedule and to optimize savings.

·         Heating:
A good energy-saving setting is 68 degrees. Every degree you lower your thermostat will save an estimated 2 percent on your heating bill. At bedtime, or when you’re away, drop it to 60 degrees to save more energy.

·         Cooling:
Set your thermostat to 75 to 78 degrees; you can raise it at bedtime or when you’re away to save more energy.

Electronic thermostats can save up to 30% on your heating bill if used properly. These energy efficient thermostats can be programmed to automatically adjust your home’s temperature settings, allowing you to save energy while you’re away or sleeping.