Top 5 Programmable Thermostat Benefits
1) It Saves Money On Energy
A properly programmed thermostat during the heat of the summer and the cold of the winter can reduce energy costs by up to 10% per year; that adds up! A programmable thermostat adjusts the temperature when your home is not occupied will not only keep you comfortable but also reduce wear and tear on your AC system and save you money.
2) Prevents Overuse of your AC System
A programmable thermostat will reduce the time your air conditioning system has to run to make your home comfortable once you arrive home.
The pre-programming of your arrival will reduce the stress on your AC system by preventing overuse at any given time.
Carrier Infinity Programmable Wi-Fi Thermostat
3) Convenience/Worry-Free Living
A programmable thermostat frees you to focus on things that matter rather than worrying about adjusting the temperature every time you leave or arrive home. You will rest easy knowing that your thermostat is working for you instead of you working for it.
4) Cool Your Home Quickly
It is a misconception that turning the temperature of your air conditioning thermostat to a lower-than-normal temperature will cool your home quicker. A thermostat set to a lower temperature doesn’t blow colder air at a higher rate; it only keeps your AC unit running longer until that lower temperature is ultimately reached.
Conversely, you will save money on energy and repair bills by programming your thermostat to run according to your schedule and strategically adjusting the temperature when your home is not occupied.
5) The Thermostat Sweet-Spot is +/- 5°
Here in Texas, manufacturers recommend that you only adjust your thermostat +/- 5 degrees from your everyday settings while you are away from home to maintain the maximum efficiency of your ac system. This +/- 5-degree range will help avoid excessive wear on your system and increase the energy efficiency of your air conditioner.
When an HVAC system has to work too hard to cool or heat your home back to a comfortable temperature, the excess wear on the system can cause premature failure making an AC repair service call necessary.
Why Is A Programmable Thermostat Important?
1) Your Air Conditioner Can Only Do So Much
Here in Dallas, the outdoor temperatures will often reach above 90 degrees during the peak of the summer, which means your AC system has to work harder to cool your home. However, your AC system will only cool an average insulated home 15-20 degrees cooler than the temperature outdoors.
So…if the outside temperature is 95°, a properly functioning AC system will only cool your home down to 75° or 80° no matter how low you set the thermostat. Furthermore, if you adjust your thermostat below that 15°-20° threshold, not only will your home not become more comfortable, but you will also risk damaging your air conditioner by making it run longer without benefit, possibly causing it to fail and ultimately requiring an AC Repair Service Call from a trusted source.
2) Maximize Efficiency and Comfort
To maximize energy efficiency and comfort in your home, experts recommend setting your thermostat between 78-80 degrees while you are home during the summer and between 68-70 degrees while home and awake during the winter.
Studies have found that a winter temperature of 68° is at the lower end of comfort for most people, and maintaining that temperature during the winter while you are home will help reduce energy costs and increase the efficiency of your heating system, besides some people like to turn down the temperatures at night during the winter and snuggle up with blankets to keep themselves comfortable.
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Should I Turn My AC Off While On Vacation?
If you leave your home for an extended period, like on vacation, it is tempting to turn your AC system off. After all, why cool a house that no one is in? On the surface, that makes sense, but in reality, the answer is a bit more complex.
When you completely shut down your air conditioner, the temperature inside your house will eventually equal the temperature outside. During the summer, everything in your home will retain the outside temperature, including your furniture, walls, ceiling, appliances, clothing, carpet, etc.
Prevent Overuse of your AC System
When you return from vacation and turn on your AC system, your air conditioner will have to run for an extended period not only to cool the air but also to cool everything in your home back down to a comfortable temperature. This can cause unnecessary damage to your HVAC system and cost you more money on electricity or gas.
In addition, while your air conditioner is off, your refrigerator will have to work much harder to keep your food cold and safe if the temperature in your home is excessive.
The Take Away
Maintaining that +/- 5° thermostat Sweet-Spot with a programmable thermostat will help reduce premature failure of your AC system, reduce energy costs, and keep yourself living in extreme comfort for seasons to come.