A programmable thermostat can conserve energy and reduce cooling and heating costs by as much as 15 percent. In most homes, that’s enough to pay for the thermostat after the first year. However, those predictions leave out one simple fact: Many people don’t get those results from upgrading to a programmable thermostat.
The reason is simple. Lots of folks fail to do the research to buy the correct model and don’t use it properly once they get it. Here’s what you need to know to select a programmable thermostat and get the savings, comfort and convenience that come with it.
Buy the Right One
Think about your needs and preferences for daily temperature control and choose a programmable thermostat from one of these categories:
- 7-day models – Maximum flexibility for busy households with occupants coming and going at different times. These models allow you to set multiple daily temperature settings that can differ for each day of the week.
- 5+2 models – For predictable schedules on both weekdays and weekends, these models give you a consistent Monday through Friday schedule and another for Saturday and Sunday.
- 5+1+1 models – A consistent Monday through Friday schedule but separate Saturday and Sunday programs provide more flexibility on weekends.
Smart Usage
- For best efficiency and cost control, program long 8-hour spans at a constant temperature, such as overnight while the household’s asleep or during daylight hours when nobody’s home.
- When necessary to temporarily alter temperatures, use the available override function that suspends the current program and allows you to modify the temperature, then resumes programmed control at the start time of the next cycle.
- In summer, program temperatures at 78 degrees for active daytime hours. Choose a higher setting at night or program to shut off the A/C entirely and open windows and utilize fans.
- During winter, make 68 degrees the awake-and-at-home setting and program 10 to 15 degrees lower during sleeping hours or unoccupied times of the day.
Serving the Wabash Valley since 1922, Paitson Bros. has more information about the right programmable thermostat for your home.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Terre Haute, Indiana about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about programmable thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Credit/Copyright Attribution: “topseller/Shutterstock”
Jeff Paitson is a third generation business owner who continues to run the business with the same values that have been passed down from previous generations since 1922.
Jeff’s belief is that the business belongs to Jesus Christ; therefore 10 percent of the company’s profits go toward the Maryland Community Church.
Jeff is a Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce member and in his spare time, he enjoys 
Ethan Rayburn is a lifelong resident of Terre Haute and a 2005 graduate of Purdue University.
An Eagle Scout, Ethan spent four years as a non-profit executive with the Boy Scouts of America before joining Paitson Bros. as a comfort advisor and later General Manager. In that role, Ethan has brought a renewed enthusiasm for customer care, integrity, value, and service to Paitson Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning.
Ethan enjoys singing and was a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with his family and two young boys, and volunteering his time and resources with his church, Terre Haute First Baptist Church, which he has attended from a very young age.
Paitson Bros
1 (812) 232-2347
Serving the Wabash Valley, IN Area Since 1922