Learn the do’s – and the do-not’s – of your thermostat!

Whether it’s keeping your home cool in the summer or warm in the winter, your thermostat is a critical piece of equipment in your home. Use it properly, and it does the job all while saving you on energy costs. But there are things you shouldn’t do. Here are five of them:

DON’T use your program feature incorrectly

If you’re not sure how to use your programmable thermostat to maximize the efficiency of your heating or cooling system, you’re not alone. But, it’s actually quite simple! Here’s what to do.

Cooling season:

• When you’re home and awake, set the thermostat on the air conditioning to 78°.
• Increase the A/C temperature by at least 7° during the hours you’re out of the house.

Heating season:

• When you’re at home and awake, set the thermostat for 68°.
• Lower temperatures by 10° for the hours you’re asleep or out of the house.

DON’T turn the A/C or heat completely off when leaving the house

There’s a common belief that turning the thermostat off when you leave the house for the day will save you money. Incorrect! Turning your thermostat off makes your heating or cooling system have to work harder to get your home comfortable when you get home. That means you’ll use more energy and create more wear in your HVAC system. Turn your thermostat up (for A/C) or down (for heating) 7 to 10 degrees when you leave for the day. That will keep your home at a reasonable temperature and put less stress on your equipment while saving you up to 10% on your heating and cooling costs in the process.

DON’T use a space heater near your thermostat

A space heater is great for keeping one space warm. But if it’s in close proximity to the thermostat, the thermostat will think your whole house is that warmer temperature and won’t heat the other rooms as much (or potentially at all).

DON’T crank the thermostat way up or down when you get home

If you’ve been out in the sun, the idea of coming home to cool air conditioning is sweet. And we get that you want cooler air – fast. But, turning your thermostat down to a colder temperature than what you want won’t make the house cooler faster. You’ll be using more energy and putting more stress on the A/C system. Instead, program your thermostat to start cooling your home about a half-hour before you plan to get back.

DON’T constantly adjusting the thermostat

When you use the brakes too much when driving, your brake pads wear out faster. It’s a similar situation with your HVAC system. Constantly fiddling with the thermostat means your HVAC system is being used more frequently, leading to more wear and tear. It also means you’ll use more energy, driving up your energy bills.

That’s what’s great about programmable thermostats, and many smart technology systems. You set it, and forget it!

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