Why You Should Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats were once new and unfamiliar, but now the majority of thermostats on the market today include at least basic programming options. These thermostats allow you to set the times and temperatures you want throughout the day, giving you a chance to save on energy costs by reducing heating and cooling when no one is home. While that’s possible with manual adjustment on any thermostat, only a programmable model turns the temperature back to a comfortable level before you get home. Some programmable thermostats go even further and give you remote control over the system and constant feedback on how well your air conditioner and furnace are performing. Find out how upgrading to a programmable thermostat can make a big difference in your home.

The basic manual thermostats still found in many homes are prone to all sorts of issues that lead to poor performance. From worn-out electrical connections to dust settling on the contacts, it’s all too easy for these thermostats to start turning on your furnace way too early or waiting too long to trigger cooling. This results in poor comfort and high monthly bills. Many families are shocked at how much better their home feels while they’re still saving money just by swapping a failing or broken thermostat for a programmable model.

Aside from dealing with efficiency issues caused by old or damaged manual thermostats, programmable new models can save you money in other ways. Programmable thermostats are primarily designed to give you complete control over when the heating or cooling is switched on and off. You can set most models right down to the half-hour or minute unit, ensuring that cooling begins right on time for you to arrive home on a hot summer evening. Larger homes take a little longer to heat or cool, so you simply set the timer to switch on a little early before you arrive home. The Department of Energy reports that setting the temperature 10 degrees higher or lower than usual when you’re not home can save up to 15% on energy bills throughout the year.

If you choose a smart thermostat that goes beyond just offering programmable controls, it’s possible to adjust and check the temperature at home while you’re far away. Adjust the heating to compensate for an unexpected cold snap while you’re at the office, or make sure you turned the A/C off after leaving for vacation. These thermostats connect to online and mobile apps to make it easy to stay in control of your HVAC system at all times.

Zoning is one of the best advancements in home heating and cooling. It allows for greater comfort and energy savings at the same time. By dividing the home into commonly and rarely used areas, it’s easy to reduce heating or cooling to guest rooms and other empty areas. Family members can also adjust the temperature in specific areas, which cuts down on arguments about being chilly or overheated. Why keep the whole house at one temperature when zoning is available with the help of a programmable thermostat?

By reducing how much the furnace or air conditioner runs each day, it’s easy to reduce total wear and tear on the HVAC systems in your home. This offers long-term savings on repairs as long as you keep up with maintenance. If your current thermostat runs your furnace or A/C too often or causes short-cycling, it’ll also wear out your equipment faster. A programmable thermostat can help extend the life of both new and existing HVAC units alike, and it’s never too late to switch to take advantage of this benefit.

Some programmable thermostats also offer tracking features to remind you to replace filters and schedule inspections. This can make a big difference in your total HVAC system efficiency. Other systems even detect issues with reduced airflow or short cycling due to overheating. No matter how complex the thermostat, any extra feature for reminding you of routine maintenance is a good idea.

Consider installing a programmable thermostat or smart model in your home. Making the switch could help you save on energy bills immediately while also providing you with a greater level of comfort.