You might not think much about your thermostat, but it quietly plays a big part in how much energy your home uses. The correct settings and habits can make heating and cooling more efficient without compromising comfort.
How Thermostat Settings Affect Daily Energy Use
The temperature you set on your thermostat plays a big part in how much energy your system uses. If it’s set too low in winter or too high in summer, your heater or AC must run longer to catch up. That extra run time can raise your energy bill more than you might think.
Let’s say you like your home at 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you drop that setting to 68 degrees in the winter and raise it to 72 degrees in the summer, your system doesn’t have to work as hard. You’ll still be comfortable, but you’ll likely see a smaller number on your utility bill at the end of the month.
How a Programmable Thermostat Gives You More Control
A programmable thermostat lets you set different temperatures for different times of day. That sounds simple, but it makes a big difference if you’re trying to keep your house comfortable without wasting energy. You can set the system to heat or cool less when you’re at work or asleep and, then, bring things back to your preferred temperature before you get home or wake up.
Without a programmable thermostat, you either leave the system running the same way all day or remember to adjust it manually. Most people forget to change it every time they leave, and the system works when nobody is around. With a programmable model, you set it once, and it repeats your schedule daily. That consistency helps reduce how often your system runs when it doesn’t need to. If your work schedule is the same every week or if your household has a regular rhythm, a programmable thermostat fits right in.
Smart Thermostats Make Adjustments for You
These models learn how your home behaves and how you use it. If you usually cool things down in the evening or turn the heat up before sunrise, a smart thermostat will start doing that on its own. It pays attention to when people are home, how quickly the house heats up or cools down, and what temperature feels best to you.
Some models use motion sensors or your phone’s location to know when you’re away. That means the system can ease off when the house is empty and start warming or cooling again before you return.
You can also control a smart thermostat from your phone. If your plans change and you won’t be home as early as expected, you can delay the heat or AC with a quick tap. That flexibility helps you save even more without giving up comfort.
Old Thermostats Can Waste Energy Without You Knowing
Older thermostats don’t have the same accuracy as modern ones. They might miss the target temperature by a few degrees. That might not sound like a lot, but it makes your system run longer than necessary. If the thermostat thinks the room is colder or warmer than it is, it keeps telling the furnace or AC to keep going. That extra use adds wear to your equipment and pushes your energy costs higher.
Some older models also lack the features that help you manage your home more efficiently. They might only have a basic dial or switch with no way to program temperature changes throughout the day. That setup gives you less control and forces you to either manually adjust the settings or run the system the same way all day. Replacing an old thermostat with a newer model can make a noticeable difference.
Zoned Heating and Cooling Works Better With the Right Thermostat
If your home has a zoned HVAC system, each zone needs a thermostat that matches how that space is used. A zone might be a single room, a whole floor, or an addition to your home. The idea behind zoning is to let you heat or cool different areas independently. That way, you’re not conditioning the entire house just to get one room comfortable.
The thermostat in each zone controls when that part of the system runs. If the thermostat isn’t set correctly or doesn’t match the room’s use, you lose the benefit of zoning. For example, if a guest room is empty most of the time, you don’t need to keep it at the same temperature as your living room. A good thermostat helps keep that balance.
Zoning can save energy if the thermostats are programmed to fit your schedule. If each part of the house only uses what it needs, the system runs more efficiently. That can reduce energy use and make your home more comfortable all year.
Where You Put the Thermostat Matters
Thermostat placement plays a bigger role in comfort than people think. If the thermostat sits near a window, a vent, or a door that opens often, it can get the wrong idea about what the room feels like. Sunlight might heat that one spot and make the thermostat think the whole house is warmer, while a cold draft might trick it into running the heat longer.
That false reading leads to uneven temperatures and wasted energy. The best spot for a thermostat is usually on an interior wall, away from direct sunlight, vents, or appliances that give off heat. This helps the thermostat get a more accurate reading of the room and keep the system running as it should.
Small Adjustments That Add Up
You don’t have to make big changes to get results from your thermostat. Something as simple as adjusting the temperature by 1 or 2 degrees during different parts of the day can make a difference. Lowering the heat at night and raising it again in the morning takes pressure off your furnace while you sleep. Raising the AC temperature when you’re out during the day can do the same for your cooling system.
These small shifts help your system rest when you don’t need it to work as hard. That not only cuts energy use but can also help extend the life of your equipment. It doesn’t have to be a major change. Just picking a few times a day when the system can ease off gives you more control and better results. When you use your thermostat purposefully, you’re not just making things comfortable. You’re helping your home work smarter without spending more to do it. That’s the kind of change that sticks.
Evaluate Your Thermostat Today
With the right setup and just a few habit changes, you can make your home feel better while spending less. We offer our customers in Glendale, AZ, cooling and heating solutions. If you’re ready to see what a smarter thermostat can do, talk to Christian Brothers Air Conditioning Plumbing Electrical today. For other energy efficiency changes, like insulation services, find out how we can be of help!
