How a Programmable Thermostat Helps You Enhance Comfort, Save Money and Keep Feuds to a Minimum

The cooling experts at Richmond’s Air in Houston discuss how programmable thermostats work, along with benefits homeowners can expect

There’s one heating and cooling tool that every home should own: a programmable thermostat. While it may not sound that exciting, programmable thermostats offer major benefits to homeowners.

Keep reading to find out why you should have a programmable thermostat and how to properly use it.

How a programmable thermostat works

With a programmable thermostat, you set a schedule for your thermostat (and thus air conditioner) to follow. You set the times you want your house cool and the temperature you want it set at.

When there is no one at home, you can program the thermostat so your unit won’t run as much. To maximize savings, experts recommend cutting back the cooling temperature by 10 degrees when you won’t be home for more than 4 hours.

You can set a programmable thermostat to begin cooling your home before you get home or wake up so that you never have to experience an uncomfortable house. Most recommend that you set the thermostat to begin cooling down your home about 1 hour before you plan on needing the house cool.

Benefits of a programmable thermostat

There are 3 main benefits of these types of thermostats, which we’ll discuss in more detail below.

Comfort when you need it

Imagine never having to worry about adjusting the thermostat. Sounds dreamy, right? Fortunately, today’s thermostat technology has made this possible.

Programmable thermostats allow you to schedule when your house is cool. These thermostats have 4 different temperature windows spread throughout the day: morning, daytime, evening, and night. You set when you want these times to begin.

For example, if you wake up at 6 a.m., you can set your morning window to run from 5 a.m. (so the house gets to temperature before you get up) until the time you leave to go to work.

There are 3 different types of programmable thermostats that can meet everyone’s needs:

• 7-day thermostats. If your schedule is very different from day to day, a 7-day thermostat allows you to program your thermostat to run differently for each day of the week.
• 5+2 day thermostats. These thermostats are great for people who have a standard work week and 2 weekend days that are similar in pattern to one another.
• 5-1-1 thermostats. This type of thermostat allows 5 days of a standard cooling pattern (typically the work week) with 2 days (the weekend), which you program independently of each other. That way, your thermostat can be prepared for differences between your weekday, Saturday, and Sunday schedules.

Energy savings when you don’t need A/C

When you’re tight on cash, utilities are probably one of the first places you look to cut back. Heating and cooling your home can be costly, which is why homeowners are encouraged to adjust their thermostats based on the time of day and when they’re home versus away.

In fact, the Department of Energy estimates that cutting back on A/C every degree saves you up to 2% on your energy bill.

But let’s be honest, how often do you remember to manually adjust the thermostat before you run out the door to work?

Instead of relying on your memory to adjust the thermostat, a programmable thermostat allows you to program your settings once and forget all about it. By automating this process, you can ensure that you are reducing your energy costs and saving money daily.

If you have a zone cooling system, you’ll need a programmable thermostat for each area. This will allow you to keep sections of your home that you don’t use often at a higher temperature.

Stops the thermostat wars

If you live in a house where you and your family members are always changing the thermostat setting behind each other’s backs, programmable thermostats might just be for you. Programmable thermostats are a great way to compromise while agreeing to certain rules when it comes to cooling your home.

For example, let’s say that Mom likes the house cool but not freezing during the evening before bed. She’s continually annoyed when Dad lowers the thermostat when he sits down for dinner. On the flip side, Dad really just can’t sleep in a “hot” bedroom the way his wife can. This couple could agree to honor Mom’s request in the evening and Dad’s temperature request at night, then set the thermostat and not mess with it.

Many programmable thermostats also accommodate multiple temperature settings by offering as many as 8 different climate control zones, giving you the ability to heat and cool only the rooms you want and when you want to. So no more bickering and no more wasted heating and cooling.

While it may take some trial and error to find a temperature set and schedule that works for everyone, having a mutual understanding that you don’t mess with the thermostat can help relieve tension in the household. Besides, not always fidgeting with the thermostat can save money and energy.

Need help choosing or installing a programmable thermostat in Houston?

Houston residents have many different types of thermostats to choose from, including programmable and smart thermostats. Starting at just $30, programmable thermostats are a small investment that offer big rewards, both in energy savings and in quality of life.

At Houston’s Richmond’s Air, our cooling technicians are happy to help you install and program your programmable thermostat. Call us today if you’re in the greater Houston area and have questions about air conditioner repair, service, or installation.