How to Boost Efficiency with a Programmable Thermostat

Cut Costs but Not Comfort with a Programmable Thermostat

We’ve never been one to hide the fact that heating and cooling account for nearly half your energy costs. If you’ve been keeping up with our posts, you would know that we’ve also never been one to keep energy-saving secrets from our readers. In fact, we at Interstate are all about helping our customers save a buck or two where they can. This week, we’re talking about the numerous benefits surrounding programmable thermostats. Home comfort might not be free, however, with the right thermostat it might start to feel that way!

What’s a programmable thermostat?

Forget having to worry about arriving to an uncomfortable home! programmable thermostat is designed to add convenience to your life by allowing you to pre-program settings for various times of the day. By installing a programmable thermostat in your home, you’ll enjoy year-round savings and increased comfort levels.

What kind of benefits does a programmable thermostat offer?

The short answer is endless benefits! This simple switch allows homeowners to enjoy savings, peace of mind, year-round comfort and more. Here is everything you can expect to receive by trading in your standard thermostat for a programmable one.

1. Savings

Perhaps this is the most alluring benefit of them all. By adjusting your thermostat up or down one degree, you can expect to see savings of up to two percent on your utility bill. Imagine the difference three, four, or five degrees can make. Overall, the amount of money you can expect to save depends on the thermostat you install. A basic programmable thermostat can save you around 15 percent on your energy bills while a more intricate model can save you around 20 percent or more.

2. Constant Comfort

Many homeowners leave their air conditioning on while they’re away to prevent discomfort upon their return, however, with a programmable thermostat you can program a designated time for your A/C to turn on. This will ensure that you walk into a cool and comfortable home.

Consider the schedules of those who live in your home. If no one is there between 8 AM-5PM, running your air conditioner for the entire day would only waste energy.

Gone are the days where you have to continuously adjust the temperature throughout the day to reflect your changing temperature desires. For example, if you like to keep it cooler at night but warmer in the day, simply program your thermostat to your desired temperatures. Once you’ve established your pre-determined settings, walk away and let your thermostat take care of the rest.

3. Control

Programmable thermostats range from basic to high-tech. Having a variety of models to choose from allows homeowners to install a thermostat that best suits their needs. Newer models come with Wi-Fi capability, which means you can adjust your home’s temperature from your phone or computer. This may be especially useful for when you are away on vacation and want to check on the status of your HVAC system.

If high-tech isn’t your thing, there are thermostats with basic settings. Whether you choose a simple or sophisticated model, rest assured you will gain valuable insight to your heating and cooling usage.

Which thermostat is best?

A programmable thermostat is only as smart as its user, so it’s important to choose one you’ll actually use. There are four different types of thermostats to choose from:

7-Day Programming: This thermostat will allow you to program temperatures for every day of the week. We recommend homeowners with chaotic schedules install this type, as it allows for the most flexibility.

5-1-1 Programming: This thermostat enables homeowners to program one heating/cooling schedule for the week and a different schedule for Saturday and Sunday.

5-2 Programming: This thermostat is similar to the 5-1-1 thermostat except that Saturdays and Sundays will have the same setting.

1-Week Programming: This thermostat allows for one heating and cooling setting that will be in effect for every day of the week.

If you need help determining which programmable thermostat is best for your home and needs, give Interstate a call today! Our trusted technicians have the expertise to help you choose the most effective thermostat.

For information or assistance with HVAC efficiency, give Interstate Heating & Air Conditioning a call at 405-794-8900.

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