When you think about your heating and cooling system, you probably think about the outdoor units, furnace, ductwork, and vents. These are all important components to create and move conditioned air into your home.
However, your thermostat is also an imperative part of heating and cooling your home in an effective and efficient manner. Even though it is an essential part, most people do not place much emphasis on the thermostats in their home.
While surprising to hear, improper use of your thermostat can waste energy, stress out your system, and increase the cost of heating and cooling your home. This guide and your contractor’s help will teach you a few common mistakes you may be making with your thermostat.
1. Not Using a Programmable Thermostat
One of the biggest and most common mistakes homeowners make is using a traditional thermostat to heat and cool their home. Replacing this thermostat with a programmable model offers many benefits.
For example, you can set the thermostat at a preferred temperature for certain times of the day and night, reducing the need to constantly change the temperature. Programming your temperatures for specific times also protects the system from excessive wear and tear. This prolongs the life span of your system.
Of course, using a programmable thermostat to set temperatures will also help conserve energy. On average, you can save an estimated $180 per year by programming the thermostat correctly.
2. Not Programming the Thermostat Properly
Like mentioned above, you need to program your thermostat properly to condition your home in the most energy-efficient manner possible.
If you work outside the home, you can set your temperatures higher/lower on the thermostat during the daytime hours since you will most likely not be home. Set the heat lower in the colder seasons and the air conditioner’s temperature higher during the warmer seasons. Make sure to adjust the settings for the weekend hours, as well.
If you are not sure which temperature settings are ideal for your family’s comfort, consider adjusting the settings one degree at a time. This will help you find a sufficient temperature that is not excessive or energy-wasting.
3. Bumping the Temperature Up/Down to Quickly Heat/Cool Home
Another mistake you are making with your thermostat is believing that it controls how quickly you can heat or cool your home.
For example, you may walk into a cold home and increase the temperature on the thermostat to heat the home up quickly. Unfortunately, this only sets the temperature higher. It does not help the system heat your home faster.
Turning the temperature down when you need air conditioning is not going to help cool the home any faster either. Once the temperature is adjusted, the system still needs time to condition the air to your desired setting.
4. Not Maintaining the Thermostat
Your heating and cooling system need a good amount of maintenance to ensure it is working effectively. Considering it is a key part of your heating and cooling system, the thermostat needs to be maintained too.
If your home loses power, you will want to make sure your thermostat still operates. Thankfully, most thermostats have battery backups. Make sure to replace the batteries, whether your home has lost power recently or not, once a year.
The location of your programmable thermostat also matters. Furniture should not block or make contact with the thermostat because this could affect its ability to read temperatures accurately. If it is installed in front of a window in direct sunlight, in a drafty area or doorway, or above a vent, consider relocating your thermostat.
Understanding how to use a thermostat is important for proper heating and cooling. For more information, contact HELP Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Drains today.
