Your thermostat is the key to saving energy and money on your heating and air conditioning bills. You can maximize your energy savings by making sure your thermostat is properly installed and adjusting the settings to conserve energy without sacrificing comfort.
Proper installation is important to maintain an even, comfortable temperature setting throughout your home. First, professional installation is an excellent idea. Thermostats that were designed to work with older HVAC systems only had a few wires and installation was pretty straightforward, but modern HVAC systems are designed to work with newer type thermostats to squeeze maximum efficiency out of the heating and cooling system.
Modern, energy efficient thermostats and HVAC systems may have up to 10 wires and various settings to help the system operate efficiently. Professional installation can help ensure that your thermostat is properly matched to your HVAC system and is installed and set up correctly.
When choosing a location to install the thermostat, look for a spot that is not exposed to extraneous heat or cold. For example, locate the thermostat away from doors, windows, the kitchen or bathrooms. Be sure that it is not exposed to direct sunlight or discharge from a heating or cooling register.
Set the thermostat to maintain a comfortable temperature while you and your family are at home, but adjust the temperature 5 to 8 degrees higher in the summer or lower in the winter while your family is away from home during the day or asleep at night. You can automate your energy savings by having your HVAC technician install a programmable thermostat that will automatically make the adjustments for you.
