A programmable thermostat is an increasingly popular way to adjust the temperature of a house according to a set of pre-programmed settings that take effect at different times of the day.
While it takes a little bit of time to figure out the temperatures one needs, the benefit is that one can save up to 10% off energy bill while reducing energy consumption. It does not need to be complicated to set up a programmable thermostat.
Setting a schedule
The first step in programming a thermostat is to check what kind of schedule a thermostat can accommodate.
Is the schedule same each day? Does it change on weekends? Maybe the schedule isn’t steady at all, and needs a different setting for each day of the week. Based on the schedule, one can then choose one of four different thermostat programs:
- 7-day programming: This is the most flexible option and best for individuals or families with changing schedules. 7-day programming allows to program a different heating and cooling schedule for each day of the week. This way, it can adapt to the schedule, and the user don’t have to worry about changing the temperature when he/she comes and
- 5-1-1 programming: This heating/cooling schedule is best for when one's schedule is stable during the week but changing on weekends. 5-1-1 programming allows to program one schedule for Monday through Friday and then program a different schedule for Saturday and one for Sunday.
- 5-2 programming: This schedule is very similar to 5-1-1 programming but does not allow the user to program different schedules on Saturday and Instead, the user will have one schedule for Monday through Friday and a different schedule for Saturday and Sunday.
- 1-week programming: Perfect for individuals and families who have very stable schedules, 1-week programming, allows to set the same schedule for each day of the week.
Benefits of a programmable thermostat
Following are the benefits:
- Temperature Consistency
- Automation = Convenience + Savings
- Increases home’s energy efficiency
- Saves money
- Control home’s temperature from anywhere
- Ability to lock settings
Setting a temperature
Once it is figured out programming schedule for the week, it is needed to figure out comfortable temperatures for the summer and the winter months.
One will want different temperatures when he/she is home and awake, home and asleep, and away from home.
- Home and awake: 21 C is often considered comfortable for most people. Based on this, the user can raise it 1-2 degrees in the summer and lower it by 1-2 degrees in the winter to save money. During the in-between months of spring and fall, the user can often turn off the thermostat altogether for maximum savings.
- Home and asleep: The human body is most comfortable sleeping in slightly cooler temperatures. Some people like their sleeping temperature cooler than others, One may like having the thermostat turned down several degrees at night, or may be more comfortable having it only 2-3 degrees lower. Any amount helps with energy consumption. One may find turning off the thermostat and opening the windows wide perfect, if the weather cooperates during the summer months. One can program the thermostat to start adjusting a little while before one goes to sleep and then go back to the “awake” temperature a short time before one wakes up.
- Away from home: There is no need to keep the thermostat turned much higher or lower than necessary when one is away from home. In winter, this means it can turned down by several degrees while one is away, while in summer, one can turn it up by several degrees or turn it off altogether. The user can then program the thermostat to kick in a little while before he/she return home so that the house is comfortable. A furnace will NOT have to work harder to warm or cool a house after the temperature has been adjusted during the day, so this will not waste energy. This is a myth! With a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat, one can control all home temperature settings from the phone while on the go to avoid wasting energy if one is running late or away from home.
The scheduling
Once figured out all the settings one would like to program into the thermostat, and can input the schedule.
One may select a day of the week and the period of the day, and then enter the temperatures one would like set for the house and repeat as needed until each day is filled. Then, look for a button to enable the schedule. And that’s it! One is set to start saving energy and money!
Long term savings
Programmable thermostats offer a variety of benefits, including better control and convenience
Programmable thermostats offer a variety of benefits, including better control and convenience. However, their most essential benefits are the money one will save and the noticeable decrease in your home’s energy consumption.
One will see these savings on the utility bills month after month, meaning long-term savings.
Easy installation
It is normal to be slightly daunted by the idea of a programmable thermostat. In reality, this could not be any further from the truth.
In fact, installing a programmable thermostat is a relatively simple task, taking 30 minutes or less. Any HVAC technician can install it quickly. As for programming a Napoleon programmable thermostat, one will find this remarkably easy. These handy devices are not only simple and straightforward to use, but they’re essentially set & forget!
