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4 Ways Smart Thermostats Improve Energy Efficiency

By on Oct 8, 2018 in Thermostats |

The cooler weather is well on its way to northeast Ohio, and this means people all across the region will find themselves cranking up the heat in their homes sooner rather than later. As you know, the more your furnace needs to run to get rid of that chill in the air, the higher your monthly energy bills get. However, what if there was something you could do to ensure your furnace is running as efficiently as possible? Lowering Your Energy Bills with a Smart Thermostat Most homes these days already utilize a programmable thermostat, which allows you to set specific times throughout the day for your furnace to run. If no one is home between eight in the morning and five in the evening, it doesn’t make sense for your system to kick on and heat up an empty home. Programmable thermostats ensure the heat turns on at the most important times of the day, such as in the morning before your shower and in the evening when you get home from work. However, smart thermostats actually take things a step further. A smart thermostat is basically a digital thermostat that learns your daily routines using analytics. They can also be accessed remotely via a smartphone, tablet or computer. For instance, if you’re always adjusting the thermostat before you go to bed at night, the smart thermostat learns this behavior. Or, if you get stuck in traffic after work one day, you can use your smartphone to remotely access the thermostat so the furnace doesn’t go on unnecessarily. Here are a few specific ways smart thermostats can help improve the energy efficiency of your home: Monitoring your energy use preferences. Smart thermostats learn how often you’re turning the heat up and down in your home, and are able to fine-tune the settings for optimal energy efficiency. In other words, even if you think you’ve discovered the perfect temperature, the smart thermostat can make small adjustments to ensure the most efficient setting possible. Showing your energy usage in real time. By using the smart thermostat app on your smartphone, you’ll be able to take note of peak energy use times. This allows you to understand how much your HVAC...

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The Most Energy-Efficient Thermostat Settings for Summer

By on Jun 25, 2018 in Thermostats |

When the temperatures outside soar, it’s always nice to come inside to a cool, comfortable house. However, cooling down your home could mean a major increase in your energy bills over the summer, and you might start to wonder if it’s a better idea to just sweat it out these next few months.  This is why it’s important to figure out exactly what temperature settings will provide the most comfortable conditions for your family – without the need to dig too deep into your savings account this summer to pay for it. What Thermostat Settings Equal Energy Efficiency for Your Home? By making a few small tweaks to your thermostat settings and following a few other energy-efficient tips, everyone will stay calm, cool and collected on those hot, muggy days. Here’s how to ensure you and your family enjoy a comfortable living situation without breaking the bank this summer: Test some different temperatures. One general rule of thumb is that the closer the temperature the air on the inside is to the temperature outside, the more money you’ll save on your energy bills. However, that temperature may not be ideal for cooling down your home, so do some testing and figure out what temperature is most comfortable for you. Keep in mind that the recommended temperature for your home while no one is there is 78 degrees. Energy.gov reports that turning your thermostat lower by 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours per day will help you see an energy usage reduction of 5 to 15 percent per year on your bills. Properly program your thermostat. Programmable thermostats certainly play a major role in improving the energy efficiency of your home. Take into account the times of day when no one is home and when you’re all sleeping and program the temperatures accordingly. Don’t forget, allow for a 30 minute grace period for your system to kick on before everyone gets home. Plan ahead for vacations. Going out of town? There’s no need to keep your home as cool as it is when you’re all there. Even if you have pets you’ve left behind, you can leave the thermostat set to 78 degrees and program it to run only...

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Programmable vs. Smart Thermostats – What’s the Difference?

By on Apr 2, 2018 in Thermostats |

Both programmable thermostats and smart thermostats allow you to save money on your energy bills and regulate the temperature of your home. Unlike manual thermostats, which hold the temperature where you set it until you adjust it yourself throughout the day, programmable and smart thermostats can be set to increase and decrease the temperature automatically, without ever needing to touch the device after it’s set. So, what’s the real difference between a standard programmable thermostat and those newer smart thermostats? Differences between Programmable and Smart Thermostats and the Benefits of Each If you’re still using a manual thermostat in your home and are considering an upgrade, it’s important to know all your options. Let’s take a look at some of the main differences between programmable thermostats and smart thermostats , as well as the benefits of each, so you can make the right decision for your needs – and start saving money on your energy bills every month. Programmable Thermostats Using a programmable thermostat allows you to pre-determine the temperature of your home for a number of days and times throughout the week. This means it can be just as effective as a smart thermostat at increasing your home’s energy-efficiency. There are a variety of different options for programmable thermostats, from those that allow you to program the temperature for all seven days of the week, to those where you can customize the temperature for the weekdays and the weekends. In other words, if you and your family are away at work and school Monday through Friday, a programmable thermostat can be set to adjust the temperature so your heating and cooling system isn’t running unnecessarily when no one is at home. When used properly, programmable thermostats allow you to save up to 20 percent on your home’s energy bills. Smart Thermostats A smart thermostat goes above and beyond a programmable thermostat and is more intuitive when it comes to heating and cooling your home. They actually learn from your behavior, following the temperature alterations you make and begin making those changes on their own. These Wi-Fi enabled thermostats can also be adjusted and programmed via an app and internet connection, allowing you to control them from your smart phone, tablet...

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Money-Saving Thermostat Tips for Fall

By on Oct 9, 2017 in Thermostats |

Fall is here, and each day is getting a little bit shorter than the last. You’ve probably also noticed a certain crispness in the air; the true hallmark of the season. While you’re layering up your wardrobe and enjoying pumpkin-flavored everything, you also may be tempted to crank up the heat on those chilly nights. Before you do, you should make sure you know you to properly set your thermostat to save some money on your energy bills the colder the weather gets. 5 Tips to Get the Most out of Your Programmable Thermostat The U.S. Department of Energy reports that the average American home will spend the majority of their energy bills on heating costs. In fact, 42 percent of your home’s energy usage goes towards heat! This is why it’s so important to make sure you’re really getting the most out of your programmable thermostat to help lower some of those costs. Ready to save some money this fall? Here are five ways to utilize your programmable thermostat to the fullest extent: Find the most comfortable setting for your family. When fall first arrives, you’ll probably want to immediately turn up the heat so your house feels warm and cozy. However, remember that it will just take a little time for your body to adjust to the cooler temperatures. The U.S. Department of Energy’s recommended setting for heat is 68 degrees. Although this might seem chilly after the long, hot summer, your family should get used to this temperature inside in no time. Turn the heat down at night. Lowering the temperature in the home by 10 to 15 degrees at night can help you save up to 15 percent on your energy bills. You’re all snuggled in under the covers anyway, and while you’re sleeping you won’t even notice the change in temperature. Set the heat lower when no one is home. Likewise, adjust your programmable thermostat settings to reduce the temperature throughout the day while you’re at work and the kids are at school. You can program it to start warming the home at least an hour before everyone returns for the day. Replace the batteries. Use the change in seasons as a reminder to...

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5 Common Programmable Thermostat Problems

By on Aug 21, 2017 in Thermostats |

One of the best benefits of a programmable thermostat is that you can essentially “set it and forget it.” With summer’s arrival you probably switched your thermostat to air conditioning, double-checked the settings, and haven’t really thought about it since. The same goes for fall, when it’s time to turn it back to the heating setting. However, there are a few common problems that arise when it comes to programmable thermostats, and before you worry your entire HVAC system is malfunctioning, you can check and troubleshoot your thermostat first. Troubleshooting Programmable Thermostat Problems The most common programmable thermostat problems, and how to deal with them, include: The system suddenly shuts off. If the display on the thermostat is working, it could be that the internal components are dirty. It’s common for dust, soot and dirt to build up on the mechanical and electrical parts, and this can affect the thermostat’s functioning. Once the components are clean, also check for loose wiring or connections that need tightening. The room temperature and temperature setting doesn’t match. The dirty internal parts mentioned above can also cause inconsistencies between the temperature setting and the actual room temperature. Or, it could be possible that the thermostat was installed in a poor location, such as in direct sunlight or by a drafty window, making it unable to properly regulate the temperature. The display on the thermostat is erratic. If the features on the display aren’t showing up or the screen is blank, it could simply be a case of old batteries. Try replacing them and see if that solves the problem. Another issue could be a tripped circuit breaker. If you’ve checked both of those and the display still isn’t working correctly, it could be time to request professional assistance with your thermostat. The thermostat isn’t working at all. Again, before you start getting quotes for an entire new HVAC system because your thermostat appears to be totally dead, check the batteries and the fuse. The batteries could be expired, so make sure to replace them first and foremost. If the fuse appears blown, you can take it out and bring it with you to the hardware store to ensure you’re purchasing the right one. Forgetting...

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The Best Thermostat Settings for Optimal Energy Efficiency

By on Jan 16, 2017 in Thermostats |

On a chilly winter’s day, there’s nothing like coming home to a warm and cozy home. If you have a programmable thermostat, you’re probably already well aware of one of its main benefits—keeping your home comfortable while saving you money on your energy bill. But, how can you be sure your energy savings are the best they can be? Get the Most Out of Your Programmable Thermostat Everyone in your household probably has their own preferences when it comes to the temperature they’d like the home to be. Maybe your wife enjoys the thermostat set to a balmy 74 degrees, while your kids would rather it be cooler as they run around playing. Regardless, using your programmable thermostat can eliminate some of the “it’s too cold” or “it’s too hot” arguments you’ve grown used to hearing. Plus, according to Energy.gov, you can save as much as ten percent on your heating bill just by setting the thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees for 8 hours each day. As you’re choosing the settings for your programmable thermostat, keep in mind the times of day when no one is home, as well as when the entire household has gone to bed. These timeframes offer the best opportunity for you to reduce the heat in your home and save some money on your energy bill. If you would like the home to be warm as you arrive home from work or school for the day, set the thermostat to start heating your home about an hour prior to your arrival. This way, it will already be at the right temperature and comfortable when you get there. But, what are those recommended temperatures that can save you money? In the winter, it’s recommended to set the thermostat no higher than 68 degrees. You might think at first that will be way too chilly for your tastes, but if you start at a higher temperature and gradually decrease it every day or so by one degree, chances are you won’t even notice the difference. The key is to find the temperature that everyone can agree on. Plus, that’s why sweatshirts and blankets were created! Who doesn’t enjoy snuggling up on the couch under some...

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