5 Things You’re Missing Out On If You Don’t Have a Programmable Thermostat
Your thermostat plays a crucial role in determining how comfortable you feel in your home.
If you still have a manual thermostat, you’re missing out on some significant benefits that come with installing a programmable thermostat. You may be unaware of how much thermostat technology has changed in recent years.
Here are five benefits you’re missing out on if you don’t have a programmable thermostat:
Energy savings.
Having the ability to set the temperature throughout the day in your home saves you money on cooling and heating bills.
You’ll never have to worry about forgetting to adjust the temperature settings before you leave home because you can pre-set them with a programmable thermostat. The U.S. Department of Energy states that you can save as much as 10% on your energy bills by installing a programmable thermostat.
The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your cooling and heating bills. According to the energy.gov website, a higher indoor temperature during the summer months will slow the heat flow into your home, saving you money.
Considering how much we use our air conditioners during Arizona’s scorching summers and the higher seasonal utility rates, that can be considerable cost savings.
Chas Roberts can install an efficient programmable thermostat in your home.
Convenience.
You won’t have to remember to adjust your thermostat with a programmable device. You’ll never have to worry about your air conditioner running too much because you forgot to adjust the thermostat before you went out.
You don’t need to adjust a programmable thermostat because you can pre-set it based on your needs.
Your programmable thermostat can set temperatures a few degrees higher during the day when you’re at work and lower temperatures to your preferred setting before you return home.
You can schedule multiple temperatures throughout the day, which offers far more convenience than continuously changing the temperatures on a manual thermostat.
Reduced wear and tear on your HVAC system.
A programmable thermostat reduces the time your air conditioning and heating system run, which means less stress on the system. That’s a real advantage in our hot Arizona summers.
Since you can set the temperature in your home precisely with a programmable thermostat, you’ll only use your HVAC system when you need to.
That combined with regular maintenance can extend the life of your HVAC system.
Precise temperature control.
A manual thermostat can only adjust the temperature when you manually change it.
With a programmable thermostat, you have precise temperature control at all times, and you’ll never have to get off the couch in the middle of your favorite TV show to adjust the temperature.
Manual thermostats also tend to have a higher temperature variance than programmable units, meaning those thermostats are less accurate at reading the room temperature.
Another advantage of programmable thermostats is they can be professionally recalibrated if needed. If your manual thermostat becomes uncalibrated, you’ll need to replace it.
With precise temperature control comes convenience, comfort, and cost-effectiveness.
Remote access is possible on some models.
Some programmable thermostats have Wi-Fi capability, and you can adjust your thermostat from your smartphone, computer, or tablet for added control and convenience. Your home will need a good Wi-Fi connection to take advantage of remote access.
Remote programming can be a helpful feature when you may be away from your home longer than you planned or your schedule is unpredictable. Most smart thermostats come with an app for easy remote programming.
There are Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostats, known as learning smart thermostats, that can adjust the temperature in your home based on your daily habits or even the weather forecast.
Some smart thermostats come equipped with geofencing technology that tracks your phone’s location and can adjust the temperature of your home once it senses you’ve left.
If a smart thermostat is compatible with your existing system and you have Wi-Fi access, it could be a wise choice for your home.
Recommended Temperature Settings
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends the following summer thermostat settings for maximum energy efficiency:
78 degrees F when home during the day
85 degrees F when away from home
82 degrees F when sleeping
You can program these recommended temperature settings into your programmable thermostat for increased savings on your summer energy bills.
Where to Locate Your Programmable Thermostat
Installing your programmable thermostat in the correct location will ensure it provides the most energy efficiency. Here are a few tips for choosing the best spot in your home for your thermostat:
- Choose an interior wall in a central area in your home.
- Don’t install it near any extreme temperatures, such as windows, doors, or air vents.
- Avoid installing your thermostat in the kitchen, where temperatures can be high due to cooking.
- The thermostat should not be in direct sunlight, or it may give inaccurate readings that cause your air conditioner to run unnecessarily.
- Place the unit away from any heat sources, such as lamps, appliances, and TVs.
- Install your thermostat in a frequently used room, so the temperature readings are accurate.
Chas Roberts can help you choose a programmable thermostat and the ideal spot in your home to install it.
Conclusion
Installing a programmable thermostat offers many benefits, not the least of which are energy efficiency and cost savings.
You’ll find that the cost-effectiveness of a programmable thermostat can quickly outweigh the lower cost of purchasing a manual model. You can enjoy precise control, convenience, and improved efficiency when upgrading to a programmable thermostat.
You can further increase your summer energy savings by using fans, window coverings, and shade screens on the windows in your home that receive direct sunlight.
Thermostat technology has advanced rapidly in the past decade. If you still have a manual thermostat, it’s certainly worth examining the available options in programmable thermostats with a Chas Roberts professional.
Contact us for affordable quality service.
