HOME ENERGY GUIDE
THERMOSTAT OPTIONS
A thermostat controls the temperature of the home (or a section of the home) by
turning on the furnace or boiler when the temperature falls below a pre-set level
or by turning on a central air conditioner when the temperature rises above a pre-
set level. Thermostats can also control other mechanical systems, such as humidi-
fiers and air exchangers.
Types of thermostats overriding the programmed setting, to provide
There are three types of thermostats: manual, extra heating or cooling, for example, and most
programmable, and smart models. have a special setting for vacations. Additional-
ly, most models can also control air exchangers,
Manual thermostats
humidifiers, heat pumps, and other devices.
The traditional dial type of thermostat has
worked for many years to control the heating Smart thermostats
and cooling of homes. It holds the set tempera- Smart thermostats operate essentially the
ture and the home stays at that temperature same as programmable models, with one
significant difference: they “learn” the 60 70
until someone changes it. Often the settings 0 8
are left at levels that are comfortable for peo- preferences of occupants and adjust
0
5
ple—even at night or when nobody is home— temperatures according to whether or
thus wasting energy. Manual thermostats may not anyone is actually at home. Addi-
work best with electric resistance heat, radiant tionally, they are Wi-Fi enabled, allow-
ing users to control settings through a
80
in-floor heat, heat pumps, and steam heat. 50
smart phone app or computer. Monthly 60 70
Programmable thermostats
e-mail reports on usage and suggestions
Programmable thermostats allow users to for energy savings are also included in most
change the temperature of the home based on
the time of day and whether they are home (over)
or asleep. A digital programmable thermostat
allows the settings to be changed or set at
the thermostat itself, usually through a touch
screen interface. Depending on the model,
there may be up to four different modes avail-
able for each day: morning, day, evening, and Wed Set To
night. The desired times for these modes can PM
Heat On
System
be selected, along with the desired tempera- Heat
ture. Additionally, some models allow you to System Schedule Clock & More
have different settings for weekdays and week-
ends. All programmable thermostats allow for
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models. Finally, some are also linked with home sure your thermostat is conveniently locat-
security systems, providing remote monitoring ed for programming.
and operation of many home functions. Programming your thermostat
Installation When programming your thermostat or provid-
Most programmable and smart thermostats are ing initial settings for your smart thermostat,
not complicated to install. Manuals and online consider the schedules of everyone in the
videos can assist homeowners through the household, including work/school schedules
process, and usually the only tools required and sleep times. Consistent times when no
are screwdrivers. one is home or when people are sleeping are
good opportunities to lower the settings in the
Sometimes, however, programmable or smart
winter and raise it in the summer.
thermostats may require wiring that is differ-
ent from manual thermostat wiring. Especially In order to save the most energy, start with
if you plan to control additional devices, the settings that are lower in winter and higher in
wires may not be in place to do so. If you need summer than what you are used to (66°-68°
additional wiring for a new thermostat, contact in winter and 74°-76° in summer). After a few
an HVAC contractor or an electrician to run the days, evaluate your comfort, and adjust either
wires. the temperatures or the times when the tem-
peratures change. Eventually, you should be
Proper thermostat location
able to balance comfort with maximum energy
The location of your thermostat can affect
savings.
its performance and efficiency. To oper-
ate properly, a thermostat must be on an
interior wall away from direct sunlight,
drafts, doorways, skylights, and windows.
It should be located where natural room air
currents—warm air rising, cool air sink-
ing—occur. Furniture will block natural air
movement, so do not place pieces in front
of or below your thermostat. Also make
Why upgrade your thermostat?
Many people are reluctant to invest in newer thermostats, primarily because of
concerns about initial purchase costs. The cost of a programmable thermostat
is between $20-$150, depending on features; a smart model may be more.
But—if used properly—these models can actually save enough energy to offset
their cost, sometimes in a year or so. But the key to their success is proper in-
stallation and use. A programmable thermostat that is not programmed (which
some research shows may be up to 70% of households) will save no more
energy than a manual thermostat.
In those situations, a smart thermostat may actually save more energy, as it
requires less attention to operate efficiently.
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