Saving energy and Being comforable

There are two fundamental ways to maximize your heating and cooling energy
efficiency. Either, 1.) Stand by your old thermostat and constantly adjust
it throughout the day and the seasons, or 2.) Invest in a programmable
thermostat.

According to Energy Star, the average household spends more than $2000 a
year on energy costs, up to half of which is for heating and cooling. With a
programmable thermostat, you can save around $180 each year, maybe more in
extreme climates and as energy costs go up.

Programmable thermostats automatically do all the temperature monitoring and
adjusting for you by following the instructions you program into them. In
the process, they save energy and money. If you program your thermostat back
10º to 15º for eight hours while you're away, you'll save about 5% to 15% a
year on your heating bill. That translates to 1% savings for each degree
that you lower the setting over an eight hour period. During winter months,
it's recommended you set your thermostat to 68ºF (20ºC) while you're at home
and awake, and lowering it when you're asleep or away.

Five types of thermostats:

1. Electromechanical (EM) thermostats have manual controls for
day and night settings.
2. Digital models are precise and feature the greatest
flexibility for custom scheduling.
3. Hybrids combine digital and manual controls, so they offer
flexibility in a simpler format than digital models.
4. Occupancy thermostats maintain the same setback temperature
until you press a button to return to the desired temperature for occupying
the room. These units are for buildings that are not occupied for extended
periods.
5. Light sensing heat thermostats adjust the temperature
according to the light levels in the building. These are primarily for
stores and offices.

Misconceptions: You should also be aware of common thermostat
misconceptions. First, it's not true that by setting the temperature back,
and later setting it forward to the original temperature, you're making your
furnace work harder and actually consuming more energy. At worst, you'll
most likely break even - it uses just as much extra energy to reheat a room
to its original temperature as the energy saved by reducing the heat. What's
more, the longer you keep the temperature lowered, the more energy and cost
savings.

The second misconception is that you can reheat a room faster and more
efficiently if you turn the thermostat to a higher than desired setting. No
matter how high you turn up the thermostat's temperature, the room will warm
up at the same rate of speed. So, when you program your thermostat to reheat
(or re-cool) your home, set it to the desired end temperature and no more or
less.

Considerations: Chart your weekly routine, weekdays and weekends, so you can
choose a thermostat that's programmable to your schedule. Ask our
professionals if the new unit is compatible with your current unit's wiring.
If the unit's clock draws power from the heating system, is the clock
disrupted when the furnace cycles off? Is the thermostat precise enough for
your needs? Is it too complicated (particularly digital models)?

Need more helpful advice? Just call us. We've got the answers.

Pj Smitherman
Operations Manager
Aux Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, and Electrical

If you want something you've never had, you'll have to do something you've
never done. "Dave Ramsey"

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