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Hannah Barney
Warning: You’re losing money by not using a Programmable Thermostat
What’s all the fuss about a programmable thermostat?
We are all busy. Whether you are single, or married with kids everybody has things they have to do, people they have to see, and places to go. So why would you want to add something extra to your plate if you don’t have to?
What if I told you that you could save money, and take something off your to do list?
According to Consumer Reports, “Programmable thermostats can lower energy bills by roughly $180 a year, yet only half of thermostats installed in today’s homes are programmed to lower temperatures when the house is unoccupied or at night, according to a study funded by the Department of Energy.” Programmable thermostats normally have a couple of different setting options so you can input when you would like to see the temperature change.
Often times, especially in my own home, if I am really cold on a winter’s day I can turn the heat up for a short period of time. As those of us living in the Quad Cities know, weather can change in a heartbeat. The nice part about having a programmable thermostat is that when the thermostat goes through its cycle it will automatically go back to the preset temperatures. Many people don’t notice a degree or two change in the temperature during the night especially, but they will notice a difference on their utility bill.
So what options do I have?
There are many different options when it comes to purchasing a thermostat – such as those with customization on your phone. Or those with the ability to learn your habits. Deciding which thermostat is right for your family depends on a couple of different items. If you carry on the same schedule day after day, chances are you could get away with a lesser investment by going with a program and forget thermostat. If you have a little more money to put in it, and you want to see what kind of money you can truly save in the long run, you may opt for a thermostat that learns your habits and configures your heat and cool settings depending on what it learns.
In a couple of weeks we will have a ‘how to’ regarding thermostats, but for now, if you need some help installing yours, feel free to give us a call. Otherwise, there are lots of different help articles online. If you want to learn more about energy savings, be sure to visit the Department of Energy’s website.