From
keeping warm in the winter to protecting your home and family from
the heat and humidity of summer, your heating and cooling system is
an imperative part of your daily life. While you may know how to use
your thermostat, it may not be operating in the most effective and
efficient manner.
Today,
more and more homeowners see the benefits of programmable
thermostats. Although replacing an old thermostat may be an extra
expense, programmable thermostats are a worthwhile investment for
your home, family, and bank account. With this guide and
your contractor's
help,
you learn a few key benefits of using programmable thermostats.
1.
Energy Efficiency
While
shocking for most homeowners to learn, about half of your home's
total energy use stems from heating and cooling. Fortunately, one of
the most important benefits of programmable thermostats is that they
can help improve the energy efficiency of your system.
By
setting your thermostat to heat and cool the home on a pre-set
schedule, you can reduce energy costs while maintaining a
comfortable, efficient environment. Of course, you need to learn how
to maximize efficiency by setting the thermostat properly.
In
the winter, set your thermostat at 68 degrees while you are at home
and awake for efficient heating. Program the thermostat at a lower
temperature when you are outside the home or for times when you are
asleep.
In
the summer season when temperatures are higher outdoors, set your
thermostat a bit higher when you are away from the home. When used in
this way, a programmable thermostat decreases your need to use the
air conditioning while you are not home, decreasing energy usage and
cooling costs.
The
smaller the difference is between the indoor and outdoor
temperatures, the lower your air conditioning bills will be.
2.
Improved Comfort
A
traditional thermostat that is set manually is capable of heating and
cooling your home comfortably. However, a programmable thermostat
offers a more detailed and accurate level of comfort that will
benefit your home and family throughout the different seasons.
Depending
on the specific temperature and climate, programmable thermostats can
be set to different temperatures according to your lifestyle. If you
prefer to sleep while it is cooler, the thermostat can be set to
decrease in temperature around the time you and your family go to
sleep.
Setting
the thermostat according to your lifestyle is not the only way it can
improve your comfort. Programmable thermostats use digital technology
to ensure temperatures are met in the most accurate manner.
3.
Added Convenience
Traditional
thermostats allow you to increase or decrease temperatures manually,
but today's programmable thermostats offer many convenient features
that may surprise you.
Programmable
thermostats with Wi-Fi technology allow you to operate your
thermostat while on the go using an app on your smartphone or tablet.
Wi-Fi connectivity can help you adjust temperatures while you are at
work or away on vacation.
Wi-Fi
thermostats also allow you to monitor the efficiency of your system.
Your app will receive notifications if issues arise that may affect
your system's performance. These issues may include dirty filters,
high humidity levels, or lower amounts of refrigerant.
4.
System Protection
Most
components of your heating and cooling system have a life span of
around 15 to 25 years. As your system ages, it will begin to show
signs of distress.
You
may notice an increase in your heating and cooling costs since older
systems struggle to condition the home efficiently. In addition, poor
airflow coming through the vents and difficulty reaching a
comfortable temperature in certain parts of your home are all signs
your system is in distress.
Installing
a programmable thermostat can help reduce the stress on your old
system, improving its function and efficiency while prolonging its
life span a bit longer.
A
programmable thermostat may be a small upgrade, but it will make a
big impact on your home, family's comfort, and finances. To learn
more, contact A-1 Finchum Heating & Cooling.
