A programmable thermostat is a great way to reduce your energy usage and cut your utility bills. Every degree that you turn your thermostat down (or up, during the part of the year when you need to run your air conditioning) cuts your energy bills by an average of one percent if done consistently.
To benefit from these savings, you need to use your thermostat properly; you also need to be sure that your thermostat is working correctly. A malfunctioning thermostat that doesn’t control your heating or cooling effectively can cost you money in unnecessary energy use, or leave your home uncomfortable if it doesn’t register changes in temperature. This checklist can help you determine whether your programmable thermostat needs attention:
- Location. If your thermostat is located in a spot that’s significantly warmer or cooler than the rest of your home, it can’t be used to control temperatures the way you want them in the majority of your home. Adjusting the settings to take this into consideration can help, but it may be necessary to relocate the thermostat.
- Display. Check the display to make sure the thermostat is receiving power. If the power light is off or the display is blank, your thermostat may not be connected to the power it requires to operate.
- Batteries. Many electronic programmable thermostats run on batteries. Replacing the batteries may resolve the problem. If they are connected to hour home’s electrical power system, the thermostat is at the mercy of power outages and tripped circuit breakers (though in that case, your HVAC equipment may not be working anyway).
- Connections. If the thermostat draws its power from the appliance it’s controlling, an unpowered thermostat may indicate a fault in the heater, furnace or air conditioning unit.
If you have questions programmable thermostats, or if you just want to learn more about our home comfort services, Ace Hardware Home Services Inc. is looking forward to hearing from you. Contact us to talk to a representative, or come by our offices in Dayton and Springfield.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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