If your Nacogdoches home has outdated thermostats, you’re missing out on a chance to save money. Unlike typical energy-efficient changes, like replacing insulation or windows and doors, deciding to upgrade to a programmable thermostat is a simple and affordable way to save energy without demolition, construction noise or a crew of subcontractors parading through your home.
A programmable thermostat is designed to precisely control the interior temperature 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Slight degree changes from hour to hour can make a tremendous difference in the amount of energy used to heat and cool the home year-round. In addition to energy savings, this also decreases wear and tear on the HVAC system, resulting in fewer repair bills.
Benefits of Using Programmable Thermostats
The following outline the basic benefits of programmable thermostats:
- Save money on utility bills year-round. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) found that setting a thermostat 10 to 15 degrees cooler in the winter, or warmer in the summer, can save as much as 15 percent a year on heating and cooling bills. This is significant savings for those who live in an area that’s hot and humid in the summertime and experiences lows in the 30s during the winter months.
- Spare the HVAC system unnecessary wear and tear. The more the HVAC system runs, the more wear and tear it experiences. This means more maintenance and repair bills over the course of its lifetime. On top of that, excessive use can also shorten its lifetime, which means you may be forking out money for a new HVAC replacement years before you would have with a programmable thermostat.
- Control indoor air quality. Your home’s HVAC system is an integral part of maintaining healthy indoor air quality. If your home is too hot or cold for extended periods of time, this can have an effect on humidity levels, which can lead to mold and mildew growth, allergies and other respiratory problems. Using a programmable thermostat to maintain consistent interior temperatures, along with regular air filter changes and a dehumidifying system, will go a long way toward improving indoor air quality.
- Enjoy space-specific temperatures using a zoning system. If you’re considering an upgrade to a programmable thermostat, ask your licensed HVAC contractor about taking this opportunity to upgrade to a zoning system. This is another level of temperature control that will put more money back in your pocket.Zoned systems allow you to set zone-specific temperature programs depending on your home’s architectural features, lot orientation and occupancy. For example, rooms with several southern- or western-facing windows may need to be set at a cooler temperature than rooms that are north- or east-facing. Upper levels are often kept at different temperatures than lower levels. These preferences can all be accommodated with a zoning system and your new programmable thermostat.
Which Programmable Thermostat Is Right for Your Home?
Of course, modern innovation and technological advancements mean there are more programmable thermostat choices than ever before. Here are some tips for choosing the right one for your home:
- Upgrade to a programmable thermostat that works with your home’s HVAC system. Read the packaging to make sure you choose a thermostat that is compatible with the existing HVAC system. You can contact an HVAC contractor to verify which one is best if you’re not sure.
- Choose a thermostat that suits your lifestyle. Do you have a busy household in which schedules vary on a day to day basis? You’ll want a 7-day programmable thermostat so each day is programmed independently from the rest. Is your lifestyle more consistent Monday through Friday with a few changes on the weekends? In that case a 5-1-1 thermostat would be sufficient.
- Consider additional features? High-tech thermostats offer multiple features such as keyboard locks so programs can’t be changed without a code, touch screens, or WiFi access.
Ready to upgrade to a programmable thermostat in your East Texas home? Contact McWilliams & Son Heating & Air to learn more or to choose the best energy-saving programmable thermostat for your household.
