The thermostat is the trigger of your home’s heating and cooling system. When you set it, it commences, regulates and monitors the climate control process in your home and helps keep your family comfortable.
Each year, as the winter season settles in, our customers frequently ask us about thermostats and how to operate them in the most effective manner. So, we compiled the five most-asked questions and our answers. Before we get started, keep in mind that we decided to have a little fun with this blog!
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- How do I make sure my mother-in-law leaves the thermostat alone?
Well, short of encasing your thermostat (or your mother-in-law) in a locked compartment and keeping the key in your possession, the best way is to install a WiFi-controlled thermostat. This will allow you to monitor the setting even when you are away; just make sure you know who’s in charge at all times. For a funny read, check out this funny WiFi thermostat review.
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- My husband is a cheapskate and turns our thermostat WAY down at night and off when we are gone. Is it really cheaper to do that?
Literally, no. Turning your system way down or completely off not only makes your home susceptible to outside factors, but may even be more expensive in the long run. This is true because it takes much more energy to get the temperature back where it was instead of just keeping it at a constant. And you don’t want an unexpected cold spell to freeze your fish tank (or pipes), do you? The better option is to invest in a programmable thermostat or simply turn the thermostat down 7-10 degrees.
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- My dog will be at home all day while I’m at work this winter, what should I set the thermostat to?
If Fido is holding down the fort while you are away, make sure he has a comfy sweater and then turn the thermostat down like you normally would 7-10 degrees. Actually, our pet’s’ body temperatures are normally a bit higher than humans, so they can handle energy-efficiency — unless they’re hairless!
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- Is it more efficient for me to just use the programmed features or for me to set at a constant, specific temperature?
This is a no-brainer… if you have a programmable thermostat, by all means use it! A programmable system establishes and maintains efficiency in climate control and can also save you money on your utility bills. Your precious time can also be preserved by eliminating the need to manually adjust settings.
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- How often should thermostat batteries be changed out?
This can depend on what type of thermostat you have, but the batteries should be checked every six months and definitely replaced at least once per year. That said, we suggest that you follow the recommendation in your thermostat owner’s manual. And don’t procrastinate and wait until the batteries die… your teeth will be chattering while you scour your cabinets looking for fresh ones.
For more information on White Rodgers programmable and Emerson Sensi wifi thermostats and for complete HVAC service, call your friends at Kotz today.
