If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, getting one is a smart move: if you use it correctly, it will often pay for itself in the first year you own it.

If you plan to invest in a programmable thermostat, it’s helpful to know what kind of features are available. One feature that distinguishes one programmable thermostat from another is programming flexibility: some models allow a more sophisticated combination of settings, others a more limited one.

Typical models, ranked in order here from most to least flexible, offer:

• 7-day programming, which lets you program a different heating/cooling schedule for each day of the week;
• 5-1-1 programming, which allows one heating/cooling schedule for the week, plus separate ones for Saturday and Sunday;
• 5-2 programming, which lets you program on heating/cooling schedule for the week and one for the weekend; and
• 1-week programming. Daily program

Choose the model that best fits with your needs, lifestyle, and budget.

Re-Setting Your Programmable Thermostat

No matter which of these options you own, you’ll want to change the default or factory settings, since most programmable thermostats are pre-programmed for the “typical American family.” You want settings that work with your family in your home.

The settings you can control on virtually all types of programmable thermostats are:

• Wake time
• Sleep time
• Leave time
• Return time

The U.S Department of Energy suggests the following settings for an optimum balance of comfort and savings:

Winter months:

• When you’re home and awake, set the thermostat for 68°F.
• Lower temperatures by 10° for the hours you’re asleep or out of the house.

Summer months:

• When you’re home and awake, program air conditioning to 78°F.
• Program the AC to shut off during the hours you’re out of the house.

In general,

• Program heat or A/C to shut off 20-30 minutes before you leave home each day; return them to normal comfort levels 20 to 30 minutes before you come home.
• Program reductions in heating or cooling to begin 60 minutes before you go to sleep; return them to normal comfort levels 30 minutes before you awaken.

Smart Thermostats

One type of programmable that has become increasingly popular in recent years is a WiFi, or smart thermostat.

With a WiFi thermostat, you have the same ability to change temperatures at certain times a day, but you can also control your HVAC equipment from a distance via your smart phone. This makes this WiFi thermostats an ideal solution for a second or vacation home, or for a busy family that spends a lot of time on the road.

Save 10 percent on your annual energy bill without sacrificing comfort by installing a programmable thermostat and using it correctly! Contact us today to learn more about smart thermostat installations in the North Fork of Long Island!