Be Comfortable Saving Energy with Steers Heating & Cooling, Inc.
People always ask how they can find the best thermostat temperature setting for every season. Some may find their body temperature fluctuates, so they dash to change the thermostat. Constantly adjusting the thermostat temperature can result in a higher utility bill.
This is especially true when there is someone in the residence or at the workplace who resets the controls. Does this ever happen in your home or place of business? According to Energy.gov, we can save up to ten percent a year.
“…by simply turning your thermostat back 7°-10°F for 8 hours a day from its normal setting.”
It is good to consider how the thermostat setting, type, and location affect heating and cooling comfort.
Comfort is Key in the Best Thermostat Temperature Setting
The heating and air conditioning pros at Steers Heating & Cooling Inc. would like all of our customers to be comfortable. Heating and cooling comfort is at the heart of our business throughout the year. With this in mind, comfort is key in finding the best thermostat temperature setting.
Using the recommendation from Energy.gov, this would mean a change of up to ten degrees less than the normal setting. If someone is comfortable with a temperature of 75, the new setting could be 65 degrees. The other part relating to this savings is the eight hours of time.
The eight-hour time period is another factor where personal choice and comfort meet. Some customers may prefer to dial back the thermostat during the day. They take comfort in being awake, active, and possibly out of the house. Wearing extra layers of clothing or bundling up may help them adjust. Others choose to turn the temperature setting back at night when they know they’ll be asleep and under the covers.
Programmable Thermostats: ‘Set It and Forget It’
Residential and commercial locations may both decide to benefit from installing a programmable thermostat. Our friends at Energy.gov say the best way to set a programmable thermostat involves time considerations:
“When programming your thermostat, consider when you normally go to sleep and wake up. If you prefer to sleep at a cooler temperature during the winter, you might want to start the temperature setback a bit ahead of the time you actually go to bed. Also consider the schedules of everyone in the household. If there is a time during the day when the house is unoccupied for four hours or more, it makes sense to adjust the temperature during those periods.”
–Energy.gov
The best aspect of installing a programmable thermostat is that it allows you to ‘set it and forget it.’ Smarter thermostats today can be part of specially designed systems that are able to track usage. We’ll talk more about systems coming up.
Thermostat Location and System Cautions
Take a close look at the location of your thermostat:
“To operate 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 sinking–occur. Furniture will block natural air movement, so do not place pieces in front of or below your thermostat. Also make sure your thermostat is conveniently located for programming.”
–Energy.gov
An increasing number of residential, commercial, and industrial heating and cooling systems employ a variety of components. This may be due in part to the age of the system or how it was installed. The technicians at Steers Heating & Cooling install and repair many different systems out in the field. Electric resistance or baseboard heaters and steam systems using radiators or radiant floor heating may not achieve similar energy savings.
Systems that use heat pumps, for example, may not benefit from setting back temperatures or using a programmable thermostat. The very nature of these different heating and cooling systems can mean a slower temperature response time. It takes them longer to run and cancels out any attempt to save energy.
Call Steers Heating & Cooling to Help Resolve Thermostat Issues
If any of these cautions ring true with your residence or business, call on the HVAC professionals at Steers Heating & Cooling. We can help answer your questions about how to find the right thermostat temperature setting and more. Our techs can also help troubleshoot existing issues with heating and cooling system components that affect your daily comfort.
No matter what season it is, the professionals at Steers Heating & Cooling, Inc. are ready to help. Steers serves the Parkersburg, West Virginia, region with heating and cooling excellence. We are available 24/7 for emergency services, and look forward to hearing from you!
Steers Heating & Cooling, Inc., providing the Parkersburg, West Virginia, region with excellence in HVAC for over 80 years. Call (855) 226-9630 or contact us to schedule residential, commercial, and industrial services. Ask us how to find the best thermostat setting for every season.