Programmable thermostat benefits and tips

Uncover the key benefits of using a programmable thermostat and how to get more out of these innovative devices.

Programmable thermostats are a popular choice in homes across the nation, and for good reason too. Programmable thermostats offer a “set it and forget it” method for homeowners and come with a whole host of benefits.

But just having a programmable thermostat won’t automatically save you money. You have to know how to use it wisely. Today, we’re going to share some valuable tips and benefits on how to make the most of your programmable thermostat.

What is a programmable thermostat?

A programmable thermostat is a digital device that replaces the automatic thermostat located in most older homes and apartments. There are many advantages to a programmable thermostat, including potential savings in heating costs over the long run through a more efficient and easier heating strategy.

A thermostat measures the heat in a room, turning the heating element on or off to maintain the setting indicated on the thermostat. For example, if the thermostat is set at 20 degrees Celsius, it will only turn on the heater if the room’s temperature falls below that setting. Once the heater turns on, the thermostat continues to monitor the room’s temperature and will provide a constant heat when the setting is reached.

One of the drawbacks of a traditional thermostat is that it’s commonly left at a single setting out of sheer convenience. This translates to higher energy bills because the home is kept warmer than required when people are tucked away in bed or at work.

What would be far more efficient is to have a thermostat that knows when you need it and when you don’t, so that it could vary the temperature and save energy. This is exactly what a programmable thermostat offers.

Types of programmable thermostat

Wondering which programmable thermostat to go for? Making a decision isn’t easy, especially if you’ve never bought one before.

Different programmable thermostats offer various types of customisations for each day of the week.

  • 5-2 programmable thermostat – A 5-2 programmable thermostat allows you to have one setting during the week and a different one for the weekend.
  • 5-1-1 programmable thermostat – A 5-1-1 model allows you to have one set of settings for the week and separates ones for Saturday and Sunday.
  • 7-day programmable thermostat – A 7-day model provides the most flexibility and allows you to program a different setting for every day.

Be sure to choose a model with the right customisation to match your family’s changing schedule throughout the week. Get in touch if you require some advice on how to choose the correct system for you.

If you would like to learn more on thermostats, we have teamed up with AC specialists: Lee Jackson Air Conditioning, who have an informative blog discussing their top tips for Saving Energy at Home!

 

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7 benefits of using a programmable thermostat

Installing a programmable thermostat can be one of the most cost-effective investments for your residence. You can expect to take advantage of additional energy savings that may be reflected in a lower utility bill. Beyond the money savings, programmable thermostats can help you maintain the best and cosiest environment throughout your interior spaces. Let’s take a look at the main benefits:

  1. The biggest benefit programmable thermostats offer is the cost savings. Energy bills for millions of households are set to rise by 12%, and the best way to combat this is to try and reduce your energy usage.

    With programmable thermostats, you can easily adjust the temperature to the exact point of your personal comfort. For every degree you raise or lower the temperature in your home during the heat of summer or the cold of winter, you could save up to 2% on your bills. Top tip – Creating schedules is a nifty way to save money on your utility bills.

  2. If you install a programmable thermostat, you won’t need to alternate between blasting the air conditioning and cranking up the heat as you search for the perfect indoor temperature. Since programmable thermostats work continuously to maintain your perfect pre-scheduled temperature, your home will always be comfortable throughout the seasons.

  3. Programmable thermostats make life more convenient for you. With a manual thermostat, it can take some practice and time to go through the steps of setting the temperature throughout the day. With a manual thermostat, it can take some practise and time to go through the steps of setting the temperature throughout the day. For example, when it’s time to leave your home, you would have to go back to the wall and make adjustments. If you’re in a rush, you may completely forget and leave the heating on all day.

    Using a programmable thermostat will eliminate any time wasted. Schedule, schedule, schedule, and the thermostat will take care of the rest. Happy days!

  4. Keeping your home energy-efficient is one of the top maintenance issues that homeowners think about throughout the change of seasons. A more efficient home can utilise its resources more effectively and bring less wear and tear to major appliances and systems.

    Our wonderful nation may be facing energy shortages in the (very) near future, so it’s important to make sure your home doesn’t contribute to energy wastefulness and negative environmental impacts. Using a programmable thermostat is one thing you can do to help curb your energy waste.

  5. Another benefit of a programmable thermostat is that when you pair one with your old HVAC, you’re extending the lifespan of your unit. By carefully programming your thermostat, you’ll stop your HVAC unit from operating needlessly.

    With a programmable thermostat, you’re ensuring that your HVAC is efficient and never has to work extra hard to “catch up” to your desired temperature. Your home will always be within a few degrees of your desired temperature. This small adjustment can help a tired old HVAC get through another season by reducing its workload.

    Want to prolong the lifespan of your unit? Then make sure you avoid these HVAC problems during the winter.

  6. Another benefit of programmable thermostats is that they allow you to take advantage of the different times of day and the temperature variations depending on the position of the sun and the season.

    When the morning or afternoon sun starts to heat your home during the peak times of the summer months, you can adjust your cooling schedule. Likewise, during the colder parts of the year, you can reduce your heating power and let the warmth of the sun help take over the warming duties.

  7. A programmable thermostat doesn’t just keep your heating and cooling balanced throughout your home. Some programmable thermostats come with features that use weather patterns to predict whether they will need to heat or cool more or less than usual.

    Many programmable thermostats are also Wi-Fi equipped, allowing you to control them from anywhere with a mobile device, laptop, or tablet.

    Having a wireless programmable thermostat connected to your home network can give you complete control over your home, whether you’re in another room or halfway around the world. If you’re on holiday when an unseasonable cold front comes through, there’s no need to panic. You can turn on the heat in your house to protect your home.

Programmable thermostat tips to cut costs and save energy

Adjust your settings when your home is empty
Now we know we can create customised schedules with our programmable room thermostats, it’s important to utilise them correctly. One of the best times to set your programmable thermostat temperature down is during the weekdays when your family is away. There’s absolutely no reason for your heating to be on whilst nobody is in the building. This is a huge waste of energy and money.

Ideally, you want to program your thermostat to turn the heating on just before you get back so that the house is nice and warm as you return. Similarly, you want to make sure it turns off just before you leave.

Adjust your settings at night
Many homeowners tend to leave their heating on full blast overnight but may not realise it’s not necessary. During wintery evenings, it’s great to set your thermostat back, as you can cover yourself in blankets to stay warm and won’t require as much heat from your system.

Avoid extreme changes in your temperature settings
Although adjusting your thermostat settings are a great way to save energy as previously mentioned, it is possible to overdo it. At Mid-Tech, our recommendation is to adjust it by about 5 degrees. This may not seem like much, but it will save a lot of energy without forcing your system to work too hard afterwards when it tries to regulate the temperature.

Speak to the programmable thermostat installation experts
Getting a programmable thermostat is a small investment that comes with many benefits. From money savings to maintaining and optimising your HVAC system, you stand to gain a lot by installing one in your home or office.

Hopefully, we have shown you why installing one is a decision you will never regret.

If you’re wondering how to install a programmable thermostat, get in touch with our team today.

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