Are you using your thermostat in the most efficient way for fall?
Fall can be confusing when it comes to proper HVAC settings. Some days may feel like you need a little help from your air conditioner, while the evenings feel like your gas furnace may be the only system for the job. So, what do you do?
Here are some of our tips for making sure that you are setting your thermostat properly for the season.
For non-programmable thermostats…
Make sure that you aren’t changing your thermostat settings all the time. Extreme fluctuations in temperature settings can mean that you use more energy than necessary to make your home comfortable. If you want customized comfort based on the temperatures throughout the day and your schedule, talk to your local heating and cooling contractor about switching to a programmable model. If you are ready to switched over to heat mode, set it and then forget it!
For programmable thermostats…
Adjust your programmable settings based on your schedule. Can you keep the thermostat a little warmer at night? Are the kids back in school? Is the house empty during the day? Are you ready to switch over to heat mode? This is the time to change your settings. Just remember, once you program those settings based on your new schedule, you need to stick with those settings.
If you want greater comfort control, you may want to consider a heat pump. Heat pumps use heat transfer to warm your home using electricity. And, if you pair it with a gas furnace, you can always make sure that you are using the most efficient fuel source for the weather outside. Talk to your local contractor and see if a heat pump is a good choice for your home.
Do you have a programmable or non-programmable thermostat? If you have a programmable model, have you noticed more efficient energy usage?
We switched to a smart thermostat and it made a huge difference. Like a programmable thermostat, but it figures out the best schedule on its own. It’s great!