How to Choose a Programmable Thermostat
They work to save you money with easy to use features such as day and night programing that allow you to program the thermostat to increase or decrease when you choose.
For example, if you are not at home during the day then you can set your programmable thermostat in the winter to 65 or even 66 and then set it to increase the temperature just before you arrive back home.
You can imagine the tremendous savings from not having the heat blow all day long.
In fact, some estimate that turning down the temperature about 10-15 degrees for eight hours a day can save about 5-15% a year on your energy bill- that's a lot of money that you can keep in your wallet.
What you need to know before purchasing a Programmable thermostat: 1.
What Kind of System do you have? There are different thermostats for different types of HVAC systems.
If you have a heat pump or a baseboard heat system then you will want to consult with an electrician or HVAC specialists to determine the best thermostat for you as it is not as straightforward as walking into a store and picking one.
2.
Battery or Hard Wired? A hard wired thermostat works better than a a battery operated one and you will not have to worry about the battery dying.
Many hard wired thermostats use a battery as backup.
3.
Kind of Programming Programmable thermostats offer three popular programming options.
You should figure out which option best matches your needs.
- 7 Day- This type allows you to program the thermostat differently for each day of the week.
- 5+1+1- This allows one program for 5 days of the week and then a separate program for two additional days.
For example, if you work Monday through Friday, you will probably want to set the thermostat on one program during those 5 days.
Then the other two days allow for specific programming in each day. - 5+2- This is similar to the 5 +1+1 program except that the two days are programmed the same.
Additional features: Remote control, High Definition display, Hold features, automatic reminders to change furnace filters and more.
The cost of your thermostat will depend on how many features you want.
You can certainly purchase a great quality programmable thermostat for under $200.
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