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The average household spends more than $2,000 a year on energy bills. Half of that cost is allotted to your heating and cooling system so you and your family can remain comfortable and safe throughout the entire year. While ACs and furnaces are necessary systems to have in your home, if you properly program your thermostat, you can probably save more than $200 a year.

Programmable thermostats didn’t replace old dial thermostats simply because they look better. These modern devices became popular because of their advanced technology and ability to provide your home with accurate temperature readings that fit your schedule. These capabilities lead to enhanced indoor comfort and lower monthly energy bills.

By taking the time to learn how your style of thermostat works and programming it to your specifications, you can quickly begin to see positive changes in your indoor air quality and your energy bills.

How Do You Know If Your House Thermostat Is Bad?

Before learning how to set a thermostat to save money, it’s essential to learn the signs of a malfunctioning thermostat. If you notice any of the following signs in your home, you may need to reprogram your thermostat:

• Mismatched Temperature Setting: Check if the displayed temperature doesn’t align with your thermostat setting.
• Uneven Heating or Cooling: If different rooms vary in temperature, it could indicate thermostat issues.
• Frequent HVAC Cycling: Keep an eye on frequent on/off cycles of your heating or cooling system.
• Unresponsiveness: If the thermostat doesn’t respond to adjustments or fails to activate the HVAC system, it may be malfunctioning.
• Strange Sounds or Readings: Unusual clicking sounds or erratic temperature readings are signals that your thermostat may need attention or replacement for optimal performance.

How to Program a Thermostat to Save Money

If you have been messing around with the settings on your thermostat and then start to notice hikes in your energy bills, your adjustments may be affecting the cost. To enhance your comfort while saving money, it’s important that you learn how to set your thermostat to save money.

Get Out the Manual

Before anything else, take a moment to consult your thermostat’s manual for valuable insights on how to properly program your thermostat to maximize energy savings. In case you’ve misplaced the manual, head to the manufacturer’s website, where you can conveniently download an electronic version tailored to your specific thermostat model.

This simple step ensures you harness the full potential of your thermostat’s features, allowing you to make informed adjustments that contribute to long-term energy and cost savings.

Schedule the Thermostat

One of the best thermostat money-saving tips is to schedule the device to your family’s needs. Consider your family’s schedule and comfort preferences when programming your thermostat. Most programmable thermostats offer diverse temperature settings for various times of the day. For instance, you can establish different settings for the morning, during the work day, and at night.

Once set, avoid unnecessary adjustments. Overriding the programmed settings not only wastes energy but also negatively impacts your budget. Begin with the recommended energy-saving temperature settings as a baseline. Once you understand how the device works, customize the overall settings to align with your family’s specific needs for optimal comfort and efficiency.

By strategically adjusting and implementing these settings based on your family’s routine, you can significantly enhance your energy savings while maintaining a comfortable home environment.

Don’t Change Your Settings

Once you’ve programmed your thermostat, avoid the temptation to override its temperature settings. Homeowners often fall into the trap of overriding pre-programmed temperature settings, leading to increased energy bills and less reliability for comfort in their homes. By maintaining consistency and trusting your thermostat’s programming, you can save big without sacrificing comfort.

Cash in on Comfort

Raising or lowering your thermostat to extreme temperatures won’t heat or cool your home faster. It just makes your HVAC system work harder. When a programmable thermostat is used properly, your home is always at a comfortable temperature.

Check Your Batteries

If all else fails, make sure you check your thermostat’s batteries. Not all programmable thermostats alert you when you need to change the batteries, so it’s best practice to change them once a year. If your thermostat has weak or dead batteries, it will be more likely to malfunction, leading to unreliable temperature readings and hiked energy bills.

Do you need help choosing and programming a thermostat to fit your home’s needs? Our HVAC technicians at Home Comfort Experts can help you determine the best solution for your heating and cooling needs.

Contact us today when you need programmable thermostat tips in Northern Indiana and Southwestern Michigan, and speak to one of our many knowledgeable professionals.