Programmable thermostats are becoming an essential part of HVAC systems nationwide. Their convenience, comfort, integrated smart features, and energy-saving potential are changing the way homes and businesses approach heating and cooling — but they still require some human input to work their best.
To make the most of a programmable thermostat, you’ll need to enter scheduling data and potentially link it to your devices. This guide covers valuable information and tips to optimize your programmable thermostat for energy savings.
What Is a Programmable Thermostat?
A programmable thermostat allows users to manage heating and cooling with set schedules for high and low-use periods during the week. Many models feature varied levels of connectivity and automation.
Traditional thermostat sensors are sensitive to infrared radiation and communicate the room’s temperature to the heating element, using it to maintain the set temperature. When you can program a thermostat, you can control the temperature at all times of the week and conserve energy when you’re out.
There are two levels of programmability available for these thermostats — basic and smart.
Basic Programmability
A basic programmable thermostat typically comes with one or more of three scheduling options that will determine how often you can program automated settings:
- 5-2 schedule: A 5-2 model allows you to create one setting for the week and one for the weekend.
- 5-1–1 schedule: A 5-1-1 model allows one setting for the week and separate ones for each weekend day.
- 7-day schedule: The 7-day model allows you to create different settings for every day.
Different brands and models offer more fine-tuning and customization. For example, Lennox S40 thermostats have preprogrammed schedule profiles for various seasons, along with an option focused on energy savings. Within each profile, you’ll find a 7-day schedule with adjustable temperature settings for multiple times of day.
Smart Programmability
Smart programmable thermostats offer more advanced features along with the settings from a basic model. They offer Wi-Fi connectivity, remote control from connected devices, geofencing, and intelligent algorithms.
Benefits of Programmable Thermostats
Basic and smart programmable thermostats have excellent shared benefits. They both provide energy savings over time, with the smart options using their learning capability to optimize settings so you don’t have to. Basic models require manual setting adjustments, but the end result is the same. You can program when you will be in and out of your house and set the temperature during those periods.
Careful management of these temperatures allows for:
- Enhanced comfort: Through these adjustments, you can reduce the time you wait for your HVAC system to make the space comfortable when you arrive.
- Energy savings: By having programmed periods of low and high temperatures, you can save a lot on heating and cooling bills while you’re away — without having to remember to manually change the settings every time you come and go.
Additional Smart Thermostat Advantages
Smart thermostat features offer more fine control and increase the hands-off aspect of thermostat adjustments. The additional benefits you get from using a smart programmable thermostat are:
- Algorithmic learning: A smart thermostat will use data from your own adjustments to learn your preferences over time. After the initial programming, it will take the lead. Smart models can also monitor your HVAC equipment, giving you a heads-up when a component needs maintenance or isn’t performing as required.
- Connectivity: Being Wi-Fi capable means smart thermostats can connect to your devices, including your mobile phone, tablet, or desktop, for easy adjustments. Internet connectivity can also help with data gathering for temperature control, like using weather updates to adjust the internal climate accordingly.
- Remote accessibility: You can see data and change settings from anywhere with one of your integrated devices.
- Geofencing: Using your connected smartphone to know your location, a geofencing feature allows the thermostat to adjust the temperature depending on your distance from home so you can arrive to the perfect temperature.
A Programmable Thermostat Guide to Cutting Costs
To maximize your investment and use your programmable thermostat to reduce heating costs, you’ll need to start by choosing the right one for your needs. Once you have the ideal model, you can optimize your programmed settings and learn how to balance comfort and savings over time.
Choose Your Preferred Features
Your first choice is picking a smart or basic programmable model. Either one will be able to help you cut heating costs. Consider the following elements to make the best choice for your needs:
- Technical know-how: Your level of comfort with smart technology features should play a role in deciding which model is best for you. You should also think about how smart-capable your property is already and whether you’ll need to make any other changes depending on the thermostat you choose.
- Level of control: You may not require the fine control a smart thermostat can provide and want something that’s easier to use. Consider how finely you’d like to tune your HVAC system and whether a basic programmable thermostat will meet your needs.
- Compatibility with your current HVAC system: Programmable thermostats are generally designed for 24V low-voltage systems. Older systems often use either 120V or 240V line voltage, which newer thermostats aren’t suitable for. Check with an HVAC professional about your voltage and consider if the wiring in your current system is compatible.
Optimize Your Settings
You can improve heating efficiency over time through settings optimization. Whether using a basic or smart model, you’ll get the best results when you create settings that reflect your daily routine. Identify when and how long you occupy your home and when it’s empty over the week and during the weekend. When your home is empty, set the temperature 7 to 10 degrees lower. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates you can save up to 10% on energy costs with these adjustments.
Balance Comfort and Savings
A modern, energy-saving thermostat is an excellent household feature. However, you still want to be comfortable. If your heating is consistently too low, you may as well have kept your old thermostat. Finding a balance can take time, so start with small setback temperature changes and monitor your heating costs to see how much you’re saving.
The more finely you can tune your settings, the quicker you can find your balance. Having a smart thermometer will allow you to monitor data and tune settings more accurately.
See the Difference With Smart Thermostats From Randazzo Heating, Cooling, and Electrical
Installing a basic or smart programmable thermostat is an excellent way to save on heating. However, remember that this is one part of your system. Your HVAC system also requires annual or seasonal maintenance to keep it as energy-efficient as possible. An older system may be causing unnecessary energy usage as well, preventing you from installing a better thermostat. If your heating system is aging, it may be time to consider a replacement for long-term savings.
When you need reliable, friendly advice on which thermostat would be best for you and an installation, contact us online to schedule a consultation.
