Did you choose your last thermostat, or did you inherit it with your home? Choosing a thermostat actually comes with a lot of options, and deciding on the right one can help you save a significant amount of money on your Ogden, UT heating (and cooling) costs. If you’ve ever considered upgrading your thermostat, then we are the team to call to set you in the right direction and ensure that the installation is performed correctly.
Do you know how much the poor installation of a thermostat can affect your heating system? How about a malfunctioning thermostat? If a thermostat is improperly installed, it can malfunction. This is why we recommend professional installation. Plus, installing a thermostat on your own could void the equipment warranty on the device, and a malfunctioning thermostat can end up damaging your HVAC systems by sending them the wrong signals.
More About Your Thermostat’s Impact
The accurate installation of your thermostat system is important to its effectiveness, but how you use your thermostat is equally important. There are a number of homeowners who make mistakes when using their thermostat, based on misconceptions about how the thermostat interacts with their HVAC systems.
Of course, as we mentioned, it may be that you have a malfunctioning thermostat through no fault of your own. Maybe the wires are damaged and the thermostat can’t send the right signals to your heater as a result. Or perhaps you have a digital thermostat that is miscalibrated. Be sure to contact our team if you seem to have an issue with your thermostat. But in the absence of any obvious problems, if your heating bills are above where they should be, it could be that you’re using the thermostat incorrectly.
Consider this: the average thermostat can be programmed as low as 60°F. During the summer, the EPA recommends that you set your thermostat at a comfortable 78°. But why does this matter? An AC system will actually struggle to cool any lower than 20°F than what it is outside. And when your AC struggles, it’s more prone to damage and premature shutdown.
What Does This Have to Do with My Heater?
We’re glad you asked! The concept we described above, with the relationship between your thermostat and your air conditioner, applies to your heating system, too. Setting the thermostat too high during the chillier months, especially if you aren’t even home while the heater is on, causes the heater to work harder than it should have to. It will continue to try to reach your desired temperature, even if it’s unrealistic (such as if you’re trying to aim for 78°F on a 40°F day).
One of the best ways to improve the efficiency of your heater is to upgrade to a programmable thermostat, so you can have it set lower during the day when you’re not at home, and turn it up at night when you arrive home. We’re happy to discuss all of your thermostat options, and help you determine if you’re experiencing any inefficiencies with your system.
Contact your HVAC and plumbing experts at Rentmeister Total Home Service today!