Programmable thermostats place control of your heating and cooling right in your hands. However, you should know how to use it properly to ensure you get the most out of this upgrade. Understanding which practices you should follow and which to avoid will help you manage your HVAC expenses and create the perfect atmosphere in your home.

Do:

Choose a reasonable temperature.

Even with the best equipment available, your heating and cooling can’t do the impossible. If you set your thermostat to 60 F when it’s a scorching Ohio summer day outside, ambient temperatures will prevent your system from working as efficiently. This is because there’s more heat for the system to battle. Instead, try setting the thermostat higher, and make use of fans to achieve a comfortable area.

Adjust the temperature around your schedule.

There are numerous periods throughout the day when you don’t need to rely on your heating and cooling too heavily, especially when you’re asleep or out of the house. Turning your temperature setting down—or off—can save significant money and energy in the long run. Turning your average temperature setting down by 7-10 F for about eight hours while the house is empty can save as much as 10% on energy costs annually. 

Don’t:

Use high temperatures for quick warming or cooling.

Coming home to a sweltering house can prompt you to drop the thermostat considerably to try to cool the place quickly. However, this is not efficient for cooling or heating, and it seriously strains your HVAC equipment. When you place sudden demands on your air conditioning and heating, it must work harder to reach those temperatures. This causes it to wear out more quickly and overheat or over-cool your home. Instead, gradually raise the temperature with small adjustments of a few degrees, and wait to see how it feels after changing.

Change the temperature excessively.

Just as pushing the temperature way up can be destructive, so can small adjustments too often. Changing the temperature on your thermostat more than two or three times a day causes your furnace or your air conditioner to start and stop, straining the mechanical components and wearing them out faster. Instead, settle on a temperature that feels right and stick with it.

 

To take advantage of the exceptional cost savings and unparalleled control that a programmable thermostat can give you, contact Lenox Heating & Cooling. For over 20 years, these HVAC professionals have provided residents of Ross County and Chillicothe, OH, with installation and repairs for furnaces, air conditioning, geothermal heating, and more. They also have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau®. Call (740) 702-2665 to schedule an appointment. Visit them online to find out more about their services.