Understanding Your Thermostat
Get more comfort and savings from the device you use every day
Your thermostat is the command center for your home's comfort, but most people only use a fraction of its capabilities. Understanding how it works — and how to use it well — can save you money and keep your home more comfortable.
Types of Thermostats
Manual Thermostats
The simplest type — you set a temperature and it stays there until you change it. They work fine but offer no scheduling or automation, which means you're heating or cooling your home even when nobody's there.
Programmable Thermostats
These let you set different temperatures for different times of day and days of the week. Set it once and it adjusts automatically — cooler at night, warmer before you wake up, and energy-saving mode while you're at work.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats like the Nest or Ecobee learn your habits, adjust automatically, and can be controlled from your phone. Many also provide energy usage reports so you can see exactly where your money is going.
Common Thermostat Mistakes
Cranking it way up (or down) to heat/cool faster
Your HVAC system delivers air at the same rate regardless of the thermostat setting. Setting it to 90 won't heat your home faster than setting it to 72 — it'll just overshoot and waste energy.
Constant manual adjustments
Frequently changing the temperature makes your system cycle on and off more than necessary, which wastes energy and adds wear. Pick a comfortable temperature and leave it, or use a schedule.
Setting it too low in summer
There's a limit to how much your AC can cool. Most systems are designed to cool about 20 degrees below the outdoor temperature. Setting it to 65 on a 95-degree day just makes the system run nonstop without reaching the target.
Ignoring the fan setting
The "Auto" fan setting is usually best — the fan runs only when heating or cooling is active. The "On" setting runs the fan continuously, which can increase humidity in summer and add to your electric bill.
Recommended Temperature Settings
68°F
Winter (when home)
Lower to 60-62°F while sleeping or away
78°F
Summer (when home)
Raise to 85°F while away
Thermostat Placement Matters
Where your thermostat is located affects how well it reads your home's temperature. It should be on an interior wall, about five feet off the ground, away from:
- Direct sunlight or windows
- Exterior doors or drafty areas
- Kitchen or bathroom (heat and humidity throw off readings)
- Supply vents (the thermostat reads the conditioned air, not the room temperature)
Should You Upgrade?
If you're still using a manual thermostat, upgrading to a programmable or smart model is one of the easiest ways to save on energy costs. Most homeowners see a 10-15% reduction in heating and cooling bills after switching to a programmable thermostat and actually using the scheduling features.
Need Help With Your Thermostat?
We can help you choose, install, and set up the right thermostat for your home