subject: Choosing The Best Thermostats For Your Home This Winter [print this page] Thermostats are one of those things that are often overlooked when planning a home heating system, but a correctly programmed thermostat could offer considerable energy savings, especially if your house is empty for specific times each week. There are several different types of models available, and you need to take into consideration your schedule, and whether or not you are away from home for regular periods of time, for instance, for work or school or other activities before picking the correct make and model.
Different Types of Thermostats Available for Home Use
It is possible to purchase seven day thermostats, and this might be a good choice if you find your schedule changes daily, and that certain members of the household are home earlier on some days compared to others. A seven-day thermostat gives great flexibility and enables you to set several different temperature periods each day. Another model worth considering, if you have a more regular schedule, is one that allows you to pre-program settings for five days of the week, and to program a different setting for two days of the week to cover weekend use. This model is perhaps one of the simpler ones to use and setup. There is another possibility available, and that is a thermostat that can be programmed for five days for regular use during the week, and which then has two separate daily settings for Saturday and Sunday. This might be nice if you have regular things you do each weekend, such as sporting activities or hobbies that involve being away from the home for quite a period of time.
Getting the Most Benefit from Programmable Thermostats
It's best to keep the temperature set at an energy-saving level for those times during the day when no one is home, or for during the night, and to remember to set these programs on constant when you are away from home for a while for vacations. If you have multiple heating zones within your home then your programmable thermostat will enable you to accurately set each zone, maximizing energy savings and giving the greatest home comfort. One of the mistakes most people make is to override preprogrammed settings, and then they wonder why their energy savings aren't as great as they thought. These types of thermostats are designed to be set and left alone.
Choosing and Positioning Your Thermostat
Your thermostat needs to be installed correctly, and must be in the proper position for maximum efficiency. This is definitely something to discuss with your HVAC technician as they will be able to guide you on its positioning. In general it needs to be kept away from heating or cooling appliances, and from doorways and windows that could receive direct sunlight, or which may be in the path of drafts. One of the best positions to choose is on an inner wall. These thermostats are designed to run on batteries, so you'll need to check occasionally to see if they are running low. If you have a heat pump you may need a different type of programmable thermostat to give the greatest energy savings, and this is something best discussed with a qualified installer.
