For those who do not know, programmable thermostats are a thermostat designed to automatically adjust the temperature in your home based on programmed settings. This allows you to set a schedule for your units, delivering heated or cooled air only when you need it while saving you hundreds of dollars over the life of your system.  

At its most basic, a programmable thermostat lets you set an operating schedule for your HVAC system, avoiding wasted energy on heating or cooling your home when you aren’t there. 

Choosing a programmable thermostat is simple when you know what to look for. Below you will find tips to help you choose the right thermostat for your space outlining what you should look for!

 

When choosing a programmable thermostat, the most important thing to consider is the kind of schedule you keep. The key questions you need to ask yourself are: How often are you away from home? Are you gone at the same time every day, or does your schedule change?

Programmable thermostats come three different models. A 7-day model, a 5+2 day model, or a 5-1-1 day model which reflect the different types of schedules each programmable thermostat will allow for. Below you will find a more detailed description of the three different types of programmable thermostats:

• • 7-day Models- Allows you set different heating and cooling program for each day of the week. They provide the most scheduling flexibility and are great for homeowners with busy schedules.
  • 5+2 day Models-  Allow you to set one daily schedule for weekdays and another scheduled for the weekends. These programmable thermostats are best for homeowners with predictable, steady weekday, and weekend schedules.
  • 5-1-1 day Models– Similar to 5+2 day thermostats,  a 5-1-1 day programmable thermostat allows you set your weekday schedule and then set separate schedules for Saturday and Sunday.

Added Features 

Programmable thermostat features range from the simple to the high tech which can make it harder to pick one that would be perfect for you. To help you simplify the process,  here are some main features to consider when choosing a programmable thermostat for your home:

• Vacation/Hold Feature- This allows you to set your thermostat for maximum energy savings while you’re out and revert to your original schedule as soon as you return without re-programming.
• Wi-Fi-Enabled- Programmable thermostats allow you to adjust the temperature of your home from a computer or mobile device for added convenience. Some, like the Honeywell Lyric, use Wi-Fi and your mobile phone’s location to start warming or cooling your home when you are seven to 10 miles away. This way, when you step through the door, your home is already at the temperature you desire.
• System Alert Capabilities- This helps programmable thermostats communicate important system information to homeowners. It will alert you when something is wrong with your system or when you need to check your HVAC unit’s air filter, taking the guesswork out of basic home HVAC maintenance.
• Adaptive Recovery- This starts your heating and cooling system early to make sure your home is the right temperature when you schedule it to be. That way, if your schedule is set for 74 degrees at 5 p.m., it’ll be 74 degrees at 5 p.m. You won’t have to wait until 5:45 for your home to adjust. But be careful, adaptive recovery isn’t always the most energy efficient feature.
• Auto-Changeover- This feature automatically switches your system from heating to cooling when the weather changes. Programmable thermostats with auto-changeover are especially helpful in climates with high daytime temperatures and cold nights.
• Full Memory Save Mode- This will ensure that the schedules you program into your programmable thermostat remain intact in case of a power outage.

High tech programmable thermostats can be a big money saver in any space.  In fact, programmable thermostats allow the average American household to save up to 15% on their energy bills each year. Lucky for you Tower has a large selection for you to choose from.

If you are interested in a Programmable Thermostat and are still uncertain about what would be best for your space, contact Towers professionals today at: