Benefits of a Programmable Thermostat
What are the benefits of a programmable thermostat?
Would you like save on your cooling costs during those times when the house is empty? We know, who doesn’t wish they could easily lower the power bill!
Do you often come home from work or an outing to find the house too cool or too warm? It’s not a good felling when you realize you forgot to adjust the temperature for savings before you left home. Or worse, you have to suffer until the home gets to a tolerable temperature.
Are you tired of constantly getting up off the couch to fiddle with the temperature setting on your manual thermostat? There’s not much worse than getting all settled in only to realize you have to pause your favorite show and get back up again!
If this sounds like your life, you need a programmable thermostat. Better yet, you’ll love a Wi-Fi enabled, fully programmable, smart thermostat.
Here are four major benefits of a programmable thermostat that you’ll want to consider:
You Can Set It and Forget It
One of the biggest advantages to a programmable thermostat is the fact that it allows users to have a ‘set it and forget it’ mentality. In general, you’ll find three different options of a traditional programmable thermostat. Based on your personal schedule, these programs allow you to set specific temperatures for each day based on what you need.
- 7-day Programmable Thermostat
With a 7-day programmable thermostat, you have the maximum control of your settings and each day can be different. For example, if you work from home on Tuesdays and Thursdays but leave for the office the other weekdays, you can pre-program your thermostat accordingly.
- 5-2 Programmable Thermostat
A 5-2-day thermostat is designed for people that have the same schedule Monday through Friday and are home all weekend. They offer less flexibility at a slightly lower cost than their 7-day counterpart.
- 5-1-1 Programmable Thermostat
Similar to the 5-2 this one maintains the same programs during the weekdays but allows users to run different program schedules on Saturdays and Sundays.
Programmable Thermostats Save You Money
Programmable thermostats are designed to save you money. The idea being, they automatically raise or lower the temperature on a pre-determined schedule. This way, you don’t have to be constantly fiddling with your manual thermostat or running you unit when you’re not home.
Let’s say you want the temperature to be cooler when you’re getting ready for bed but warmer once you’re asleep, or any other custom scenario that fits your lifestyle – a programmable thermostat is the right solution. A strategic plan will help you create program settings that will maximize comfort and minimize waste.
We publish many articles with information homeowners can use to reduce their energy consumption without sacrificing comfort. For example, this post has some tips for optimizing savings with a programmable thermostat. With the right equipment and strategy, you can make your air conditioner work smart instead of hard.
Smart Programmable Thermostats That Sync with Your Smartphone
Speaking of smart… some thermostats are programmable and have a ‘learning’ or ‘smart’ aspect to them, such as the Nest thermostat. These thermostats are not only programmable, they also adjust themselves based on learning your previous changes. Nowadays, most thermostat brands have a smart thermostat in their product lineup. We discuss some of our favorites and how they compare to each other in this article.
A Smart thermostat will typically have advanced features such as linking to Wi-Fi so you can use your phone as a “remote control” from the couch. They also sync with your smartphone so you can control your thermostat from anywhere, even when you’re not home. These thermostats are ideal for people who are always on the go and have erratic schedules that are never pre-determined.
Geo-fencing – with this feature turned on, your thermostat can tell when everyone in the house with a linked smart phone comes and goes. This energy-saving feature will adjust the temperature for savings when everyone leaves. If someone unexpectedly returns home, the thermostat sees it and returns the temperature to a more comfortable setting.
Programmable Thermostats Are (…Or Should Be) Easy to Install and Use
Many of yesterday’s thermostats were hard to read and had complicated dials and buttons. The Washington Post reported that although 42% of people have a programmable thermostat, few know how to use their thermostats. In fact, 14% of respondents said that they didn’t even know how to find the settings on their programmable thermostat. It’s true: some programmable thermostats can be difficult to read. Others come with a touch screen or an intuitive display. If you’re reading this because you’re struggling to put the benefits of a programmable thermostat to use, here’s some helpful tips:
- Find the programming manual for your thermostat. You may find instructions on the console itself, especially if there’s a portion that opens in order to access the controls.
- If you can’t find instructions, look up your model online. Often, there will be instructions on the manufacturer’s website. If you’re lucky, there may even be a video walking you through the process of programming your temperature settings.
- If your current thermostat isn’t programmable, or it’s an outdated model lacking capability you need, consider a technology update. While smart thermostats are not inexpensive upfront, they pay for themselves in energy savings.
Pro Tip: If you’re considering replacing your central air & heating system anytime soon – it may come with a smart thermostat already. Many high efficiency HVAC systems require their own thermostat which allows the components to “communicate” with each other. When Magic Touch Mechanical replaces an A/C unit, we always include a new programmable thermostat or smart thermostat.
Interested in purchasing a programmable thermostat but want the advice of HVAC professionals? Magic Touch Mechanical can help you choose one that fits your needs and install it for you. Not all programmable thermostats are compatible with every model AC & heating unit. We know the ins and outs, pros and cons of every smart thermostat on the market and can install the best one for your needs. All you have to do is contact us today!