Do Programmable Thermostats Really Save Money?
Programmable thermostats have been the talk of the energy community for a while. They are touted as being one of the most effective, useful, simple and reliable ways of saving energy, money and the environment. And the claims make sense. But you have to use them correctly and with discipline. Otherwise, they will do you no good.
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Programmable Thermostats
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A programmable thermostat has to meet certain criteria to earn Energy Star certification. They must have "a default energy saving program that is capable of maintaining two separate programs (to address the different comfort needs of weekdays and weekends) and four temperature settings or more for each day."
What Does a Programmable Thermostat Do?
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A programmable thermostat controls your furnace and air conditioning unit by turning them on and off according to a default energy-saving program or user-programmed settings. Different pre-set programs set controls in hot weather (for the air conditioning unit) and cold weather (for the furnace).
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How It Works
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According to the time of day, a programmable thermostat will turn on and maintain the desired (or programmed) temperature. For example, in the winter, most people dislike getting up to a cold house or apartment. Default settings begin heating the home or apartment at 6 a.m. to about 70 degrees F. Then at 8 a.m., the temperature drops down eight degrees to 62 degrees when families are at work and school. Then at about 6 p.m. when families are re-gathering at the home, the temperature increases eight degrees to about 70 degrees. At 10 p.m., the temperature drops back eight degrees again to 62 degrees Fahrenheit. This cycle repeats every day, unless there is a different program instituted during the weekend.
During summer months, the opposite is true. Instead of the temperature dropping during the day and night when less energy needs to be expended, the temperature increases four degrees for the 78-degree base cool point.
Will a Programmable Thermostat Save Money?
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A programmable thermostat will save you money if you use it correctly. The key is to use one of the pre-programmed settings or a customized setting you create for your specific needs and leave the thermostat alone. If you program your desired settings or use pre-programmed settings and let the thermostat do the rest for you, you will save some money. But if you keep bypassing the program, you will likely not save any money. Using a programmable thermostat requires some discipline.
Where to Buy a Programmable Thermostat
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Programmable thermostats are available in many different places. The easiest places to find them are at home improvement retailers like The Home Depot, Lowe's and Ace Hardware. A general rule of thumb is that if a retailer sells Energy Star-qualified appliances and home improvement products, it will generally sell programmable thermostats as well.
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