So, you are ready to upgrade your home with a programmable thermostat and enjoy the benefits of creating a comfortable and energy efficient home. There are some important things you need to know first. Many St. Louis homeowners find that even after they have upgraded their programmable thermostat, they are still not seeing a difference in their energy bill. Or worse, their electric bill might have even increased in price. By understanding some important common mistakes when buying a programmable thermostat, you can make sure that you avoid these mistakes.
Read on to learn more or contact our St. Louis heating & air conditioning company online or by phone, and we will answer any questions you may have about programmable thermostats.
Save Money & Time – Avoid These Mistakes When Buying a Programmable Thermostat
Here are 4 common mistakes homeowners make when purchasing and installing a programmable thermostat. After checking out these mistakes, save even more money, time, and energy by following these three steps so you end up purchasing the best programmable thermostat suited for you and your family.
1. Your Programmable Thermostat does not Fit Your Schedule
Did you by the right programmable thermostat to fit your schedule? The key to saving money with a programmable thermostat is to set your thermostat to automatically reduce the heating and cooling in your home when you don’t need it as much. If you have the wrong kind of programmable thermostat for your lifestyle, your home could be wasting energy.
- 5+2-day models: This means your programmable thermostat can have one schedule for the week and a different program for your weekend. If you have a regular 9 to 5 job, followed by a stay-at-home sort of weekend, this model may be the best kind of programmable thermostat for your home.
- 5-1-1 models: This type of programmable thermostat will create the same heating and cooling schedule for 5 days, followed by another schedule for Saturday and a different one for Sunday.
- 7-day models: This is the type of programmable thermostat that is best suited if your schedule fluctuates day to day, allowing you the flexibility to set up to 4 different temperature periods each day.
2. Your Programmable Thermostat is Complicated to Use
Even if you bought the correct programmable thermostat for your weekly schedule, it all goes out the window if you cannot properly program your thermostat. Before you upgrade your programmable thermostat, make sure you have done your research and read through many reviews. Keep an eye out for any complaints related to complicated programming and ease of use.
A good sign of an easy to use system is a programmable thermostat that features a digital display, vacation hold features, the ability to make adjustments through a smartphone, and eco-friendly programming.
3. You have Chosen the Wrong Temperature Settings
Are you ensuring your heating and cooling system knows when it is supposed to be saving you money? Even the best programmable thermostat cannot save you money if it is not set right. A programmable thermostat must be manually set to an energy-saving temperature.
The key is to schedule the program to reduce the heating or cooling your home when you don’t need it as much, typically when you’re not at home or asleep. During the prime time you and your family are at home, make sure your programmable thermostat is set to begin cooling or heating the house about 15 minutes before you arrive.
4. Your Programmable Thermostat is not Compatible with Your HVAC System
Don’t buy a programmable thermostat that is incapable of talking to your current heating and cooling system. The wrong brand or model could create a miscommunication that results in an uncomfortable home, or even a malfunction of your HVAC system. It would be easy to blame your furnace or air conditioner for a heating or cooling problem, resulting in an expensive replacement, when it might have just been that your programmable thermostat wasn’t right for what your home already had.
Maximizing Energy Efficiency: More than Just Buying a Programmable Thermostat
It is also important to keep in mind that depending on your system, it may need more than just a programmable thermostat replacement to maximize your energy savings. There are many other options for homeowners looking to improve their home’s energy efficiency, and we can help! From providing heating tips to furnace suggestions, you can always reach out to one of our heating and cooling professionals for expert service and advice.
Galmiche & Sons has been helping homeowners in the St. Louis area with their HVAC needs since 1950. Contact our heating & air conditioning company to help you select the best programmable thermostat and address other HVAC issues so your home is as comfortable as possible.
