Take Control of Your Energy Use Before Winter Temperatures Arrive
Cooler weather is approaching, and sooner or later, Ohio’s bitter winter weather will be here. As temperatures drop, we often head to the thermostat and turn up the heat. Then we see the heating bill. Yikes!
Sound familiar?
It doesn’t have to be that way. When it comes to heating and cooling your home, how you manage your thermostat can make a difference. Adjusting the temperature when you’re asleep or away from home can help reduce energy use, and a programmable or smart thermostat can make those adjustments easier.
Unlike a traditional thermostat, a programmable or smart thermostat allows you to set your heating and cooling on a schedule. You can choose different temperatures for day and night, weekdays and weekends, or even create a different schedule for each day of the week.
Many thermostats also have “auto” and “on” settings for the HVAC fan. When set to “auto,” the fan runs only when the system is heating or cooling. Setting the fan to “on” keeps it running continuously, which can increase energy use.
Programmable thermostats follow the schedule you set, while smart thermostats may offer additional features, such as remote control through an app. Some models can even learn your routine and automatically adjust the temperature based on your habits.
Programming your thermostat also saves you from having to make temperature adjustments throughout the day. In the winter, for example, you can program it to lower the temperature when you go to bed and warm the house again before you wake up. Likewise, it can lower the temperature while you’re at work and warm your home before you return.
Not all thermostats are the same, however. Make sure the thermostat you choose is compatible with your heating and cooling equipment, especially if you have a heat pump, geothermal system or variable-speed HVAC system.
Compatibility is particularly important for homes with heat pumps. Large temperature increases can cause some systems to rely on auxiliary electric resistance heat, which typically uses more electricity. A thermostat designed for a heat pump can help manage those temperature changes efficiently and limit unnecessary use of auxiliary heat.
With a smart or programmable thermostat, you can take some of the guesswork out of managing your home’s comfort and energy use — and help keep your winter electric bills in check.
