The summer heat can drive up energy bills for homeowners in the Grand Rapids and Lansing, Michigan areas. With the right tools, though, you can gain increased control over cooling system usage as well as home comfort. Consider having a programmable thermostat installed to save energy and lower heating and cooling bills.
In our most recent blog, the HVAC technicians at A-1 Mechanical discuss the benefits of programmable thermostats and why you should have one installed in your home.
Cut Summer Air Conditioning Costs
Reduced heating and cooling system energy consumption is one of the most well-known benefits of a programmable thermostat. Starting around the turn of the century, this technology has been promoted as a gold standard for HVAC system control and energy conservation.
The programming features help homeowners achieve the lengthy periods of temperature setbacks needed to generate noticeable energy savings related to heating and cooling. Homeowners are able to schedule six or more temperature adjustments in a day, making it easy to program comfortable, cool temperatures when the family wakes up and returns home after a day away. They can also automatically set temperatures higher during long periods when the household is away or asleep.
The U.S. Department of Energy states that you can save as much as 10 percent on cooling costs when thermostats are turned up 7 to 10 degrees higher than the usual home temperature for just 8 hours each day. The scheduling benefits of a programmable thermostat help homeowners easily achieve such energy savings without making multiple trips to the thermostat each day.
Ensure Precision Comfort, 24 Hours a Day
The scheduling benefits of a programmable thermostat offer more than just energy savings – this technology allows homeowners to precisely cool their living spaces according to the family’s unique routines. Setting higher temperatures to generate savings can create some discomfort when a manual thermostat is used, as the home cannot return to lower, more comfortable temperatures until someone is physically present to make the adjustment.
One of the important benefits of a programmable thermostat is the availability of multiple scheduling capabilities. Programmable thermostat models are available in four unique configurations, allowing homeowners to choose the option that best fits the day-to-day comings and goings of the household.
- A 1-week model runs the set daily temperature schedule every day of the week.
- A 5-2-day model allows one set of temperature schedules each weekday, while a unique temperature schedule can be programmed to run on the weekend days.
- A 5-1-1-day model lets you program one set of temperature schedules to run each weekday, as well as a unique schedule on Saturday and another unique schedule on Sunday.
- A 7-day model allows unique temperature schedules to be programmed for each of the seven days of the week.
Following the household’s daily routine, temperature adjustments can be scheduled to start slightly before family members arrive home or wake up. Program your thermostat to initiate a temperature change, bringing the indoor temperature down from a lengthy setback period about 15 minutes before the household becomes active. This will bring the home to a comfortable temperature when everyone is home and awake to enjoy it. Also, schedule setback periods to start about 15 minutes or more before the home empties or the household heads to bed – the living areas will stay cool during this period without additional energy usage by the air conditioning system.
If daily plans suddenly change, it’s no problem when your programmable thermostat is equipped with features like Wi-Fi connectivity! Remote access is one of the valuable benefits of a programmable thermostat that has a wireless Internet connection. Using a mobile app, you can adjust thermostat settings from just about anywhere!
Gain the Benefits of a Programmable Thermostat Today!
It’s easy to start reaping the benefits of a programmable or smart thermostat in your home. Turn to A-1 Mechanical for installation of a programmable thermostat in your Lansing or Grand Rapids area home! With a number of quality programmable thermostats to choose from, you’ll find the best choice for your household’s needs. Contact us today to request an estimate for programmable thermostat installation.