Energy Smart Design

 Are you aware that heating and cooling make up approximately 40% of our energy use?  With an electric programmable thermostat, you can have savings of up to 20% on your heating bill; by lowering the temperature 5 degrees during night time and 10 degrees in the day while heating you are out. The same is accomplished by setting it up by the same amount when cooling. 

 A programmable thermostat is the essential tool to save utilities bill and the earth.

Electric programmable thermostat means comfort, convenience and most importantly savings.  It costs in the range of $50-$150 but you'll achieve annual savings of $100-$300 for one household on heating and cooling alone while still keeping your home comfortable.  The trick is to make your home slightly cooler when nobody is around or while you asleep, and program the electrical thermostat according to your itinerary, so you do not need to readjust the thermostat from time to time.  The savings is computed on the basis of $15 savings a month stretching across the entire year.

Invariably, a basic set will usually cover the following three programming options:

• Daily Programming -- a blanket setting that covers all days of the year.

• Weekday/Weekend (5/2) Programming -- this option incorporates allowance to make adjustment between weekdays and weekends, and the additional 5/1/1 option further splits the weekend into Saturday and Sunday.

• Full Seven-Days Programming -- this makes possible for different setback schedule every day, from Monday to Sunday.

Some additional options (dependent on manufacturer and model) are as follows:

• Vacation Override -- user can make ad hoc adjustment to the programmed schedules.

• Keyboard Lock -- this makes it impossible for anybody else to change the pre-settings.

• Energy Monitor -- this displays the duration the HVAC system has been on for any given time.

• Auto Season Changeover -- an automatic feature that triggers heating or cooling according to the season.

Additional information: Almost three quarters of US households do not use electrical programmable thermostat when they do have them.  Keep in mind that this is an essential equipment to save energy.  And make sure you spend the time to get to know the device.  YES, read the manual.

Quick temperature guide: Save utility bill and be comfortable: during winter bring setting up to 70° and down to 62° when nobody at home.  During summer set temperature to 78° up, and 85° minimum with nobody around, and 82° when you hit the bed.

Your decision on the spot(s) to place the thermostat(s) can influence the level of your home comfort.  The chosen height (ideally between eye and chest) and location near to a window, or a door leading outside, or supply and return pipelines can impact the readings.  As a result, you may have less than optimal cycling.  Experienced HVAC contractors can help you locate the optimal spot(s) for the thermostat(s).

Keep to the instructions above on your electric programmable thermostat settings to enjoy both savings and comfort.