What Is A Programmable Thermostat?
Think of your thermostat as the quarterback of your home’s air conditioning team and you are the coach. You call the plays, and the thermostat leads the way. But unlike traditional thermostats, programmable ones have hall of fame potential!
A thermostat’s job is to curate and regulate the temperature within your home. However, with a programmable thermostat, you can adjust it to fit your schedule. This is a major plus because it leads to lower energy costs while allowing you to maintain comfort.
When it comes to programmable thermostats, you will have to set them by hand, and you will not be able to receive notifications from your mobile devices. These are features that are typically associated with smart thermostats. However, you will save money on the device itself when choosing a programmable thermostat.
Thermostat Maintenance Tips
Test your thermometer every fall
- The only way you’re going to get the temperature in your home just to your liking is to make sure that the thermostat’s thermometer is accurate.
- Every fall, before the heating season begins, do this simple test: Tape a household thermometer (one that you know is accurate) to the wall next to the thermostat. Give the thermometer about 15 minutes to settle on its temperature reading, and then compare that reading to the thermostat’s.
- If the difference between the two is more than five degrees, recalibrate your thermostat.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Homeowners may think leaving their thermostat at extreme temperatures on either side of the spectrum is okay if they are not home. If you are trying to save money, think again because this mistake could be costly in repairs!
Your AC may struggle from moisture damage or frozen pipes when dealing with abnormal temperatures. Also, the general distress in your home could be problematic long-term. So, make sure you are setting your thermostat at a reasonable setting.
Tuning your thermostat
- You’ve got to get at the guts of the thermostat to tune it. Start by removing its cover. Then, if you need to, unscrew the base plate containing the unit’s working parts. Your thermostat’s thermometer is usually a bi-metallic coil whose components expand or contract at different rates when they’re heated or cooled. The flexing of the coil trips a switch (sometimes a mercury-filled glass bulb) that turns the system on or off.
- Re calibrating the thermometer usually involves turning the coil’s adjustment screw or nut with a small screwdriver or needle-nose pliers. Double-check the manufacturer’s instructions if you have them.
