There is nothing like coming home to a warm, cozy house when it is freezing outside. However, the higher utility bills that come along with cold winter months can make those warm and cozy feelings disappear fast. Thankfully, there are a few simple changes you can implement to control higher energy bills all while keeping things comfy at home. Using a programmable thermostat is a great place to start, providing one of the best heating and cooling enhancements available without a high upfront cost.
What Is a Programmable Thermostat?
A programmable thermostat is a device that can be set to automatically control temperatures throughout your home at all hours of the day. There are different types of programmable thermostats that offer various levels of temperature scheduling. Some allow you to create a program for each individual day while others allow you to create a schedule for weekdays all at once and a different schedule for weekend days. Because Oregon’s winter temperatures can vary greatly from day to day, a programmable thermostat can be particularly helpful during colder weather.
Precise Temperature Control
A programmable thermostat allows you to lower the temperature in your home during times when you will not be there and raise the temperature during hours when you are at home. Therefore, you don’t have to be cold and uncomfortable when you get home while you wait for the house to heat up. Instead, you can program the thermostat to automatically raise the temperature at a specified time so that your home is nice and warm right before you arrive.
Lower Energy Bills
Lower energy bills are a huge advantage of using a programmable thermostat. Lowering the temperature when you are out of the house reduces energy costs and the workload on your HVAC system. Precise temperature control naturally leads to energy savings.
Home Zone Controls
Many programmable thermostats offer the ability to set different temperatures in separate areas of your home through zone climate control. This technology allows you to keep rooms that you use more often warmer than rooms that are rarely used. Therefore, you can keep your family room, kitchen and bedrooms warm while maintaining a lower temperature in your formal living room or dining room.
Ease of Use
Once your thermostat is programmed for your desired temperatures, there is very little left for you to do other than enjoy your perfectly temperature-controlled home. A programmable thermostat is essentially a set-it and forget-it device and does not require consistent maintenance.
Controlled Remotely
Perhaps one of the most convenient and energy efficient benefits of a programmable thermostat is they can be controlled remotely. Most programmable thermostats can be controlled by an easy-to-use app on your cell phone. If you need to make a change to the schedule on your thermostat, you can simply open your app and immediately lower or raise the temperature in any zone-controlled area of your home.
So, if the weather becomes colder, you can be sure your house is as warm as you want it to be even if you are away. Or, if you forget to make a change to your thermostat that would reserve energy, you don’t have to wait until you get home to change it. You can make that money-saving change immediately and remotely from your phone.
Maintaining a program for heating your home can also help to protect your HVAC system and keep it running for years to come. If your HVAC system is constantly moving from one temperature extreme to another, it can put unnecessary strain on the system. Maintaining a consistent temperature for long periods of time reduces stress on the HVAC unit and helps it run more efficiently.
What Temperature Settings Are Best for Your Programmable Thermostat in Winter?
According to the Department of Energy, you should set your programmable thermostat at 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you are home, and you should lower the temperature while you are away. You should not lower the temperature too much as it will place too much strain on the HVAC system to get back up to warmer temperatures. Additionally, the World Health Organization recommends that elderly people or those with health problems keep house temperatures at 68 degrees or higher.
Of course, these temperature settings are simply recommendations and might not be right for everyone. However, the Department of Energy suggests 68 degrees is the optimal balance between being comfortable in your home and saving money on electricity.
Are All Programmable Thermostats the Same?
All programmable thermostats offer the ability to set a schedule for heating and cooling. However, there are some programmable thermostats that are Wi-Fi compatible and allow you to control temperature settings through an app or your computer. Additionally, there are some programmable thermostats that are considered smart devices and do not require actual programming. Instead, they learn the common settings that you typically use at different times of the day and mimic those settings on their own.
Will Every Programmable Thermostat Work With My HVAC System?
The short answer to this question is no. Your HVAC system will determine what type of programmable thermostat will work best. Our team will analyze your system and make recommendations for the best programmable thermostats to use in your home. We will explain all options and take the guesswork out of what will work best.
Are Programmable Thermostats Difficult to Program?
Most programmable thermostats are quite simple to program. However, there is no need to stress over learning to program your new device all on your own. We will be there every step of the way from installation to programming. We will set up the initial program and make sure any changes would be easy for you to make. Of course, our technicians are only a phone call away should you need assistance.
Where Will My Thermostat Get Installed?
In most cases, a programmable thermostat will need installation away from doors and windows on an interior wall. Our team will help you determine which area of your home would be the most convenient for you to easily access the thermostat while allowing the device to efficiently gauge proper interior temperatures.
Contact Specialty Heating & Cooling LLC Today for the Best HVAC Service
At Specialty Heating & Cooling LLC, our motto is: “We’re not comfortable until you are!” We have been serving Tigard and the surrounding areas since 1985, and we are committed to assisting you with all of your HVAC needs, including cooling and heating installation, maintenance and repair. Specialty Heating & Cooling LLC also provides services for water heaters and generators along with duct cleaning for your home.
We will work hard to find the perfect programmable thermostat that will improve your energy costs and keep you warm and protected during the cold, and sometimes brutal Oregon winters. We know the best tools to use to get the most out of your HVAC system, and we will be sure your system is running as efficiently as possible. Give us a call today to schedule an appointment with a member of our team.
