“Thermostat, thermostat on the wall, could you be the secret to savings this fall?”
Simply put, yes. Efficient use of your thermostat can lead to cost savings on your home’s heating and cooling bills, not just this fall but every season. The upside? You keep more of your hard-earned dollars in your wallet at the end of each month. Here are some practices that can help.
- Set temperatures wisely. During the winter, lower the temperature when you’re asleep or away and raise it when you’re at home and active. In the summer, raise the temperature when you’re away and lower it when you’re at home.
- Invest in a programmable thermostat. This allows you to set different temperatures for different times of the day and helps you avoid heating or cooling an empty house.
- Use energy-saving modes. Many of today’s thermostats feature energy-saving modes like “eco” or “away.” These help you optimize energy use when you’re not at home.
- Regular maintenance. Keep your thermostat clean and change its batteries to ensure accurate temperature readings.
- Use zoning. If your home has multiple heating or cooling zones, make use of them. Only heat or cool the areas you use to avoid wasting energy.
- Avoid frequent adjustments. When it comes to saving energy and money, steady wins the race. Constant adjustments lead to inefficiencies. Instead, find a comfortable temperature and stick to it for longer periods.
- Regular HVAC maintenance. Your thermostat is part of a system. Keep that system well-maintained with regular service to ensure it operates efficiently. An efficient system means your thermostat doesn’t have to work as hard.
- Invest in a “smart” thermostat. A smart thermostat “learns” your preferences and adapts to your schedule. You can control it remotely via apps on your phone. Some models come with energy-saving features and provide detailed usage data that can help you make informed decisions.
While your climate, the type of heating and cooling system you have, and your home’s insulation all factor into the savings mix, a change of habit or two can help. Experimenting with one or two of these can reduce your monthly utility bill.
Go here to see how homeowners integrated a smart thermostat with other energy-saving measures, including geothermal heating and cooling supplied by Enertech.