Tips and Tricks for Effective Thermostat Use?

Answer 1

Everyone knows that a thermometer merely registers the temperature in a location. But a thermostat has the ability to control the atmosphere around it. Even though it may be small, a thermostat has the ability to cause major changes where it is installed.

A great tip for wisely using a thermostat is to always remember to set the thermostat down to a lower temperature when one is planning to be away for at least a few hours or more. Simply adjusting the setting down a few degrees can help immensely on lowering costs. Imagine how much money can be saved by lowering the thermostat if a person will be gone for an extended period of time such as a weekend or more.

Additionally, nighttime is a good time to adjust the thermostat down a little lower. Many people find that they actually sleep a little better when the temperature in the room at night is slightly cooler than a daytime temperature. Not only does the slight adjustment add to a good night's sleep, but it also helps lower the monthly bill for the energy source providing the heat.

One point about lowering the setting on a thermostat that many people fail to consider is the savings that will be produced when a refrigerator or freezer is not required to run nearly so much to maintain a cold internal temperature. The warmer a room is kept, the more a refrigerator will need to run to compensate for the raised room temperature. While many people may think this is a trivial matter, over time the cost of a refrigerator running constantly can really add up.

If each degree a thermostat is lowered during an eight-hour period accumulates to mean a one percent savings on a fuel bill, then it is definitely worth attempting to drop the temperature by a degree or two for a trial period. If a person lowers the thermostat while away on a trip during the winter period, it is safe to set the temperature around 55 degrees. That will prevent water pipes from bursting and will provide a nice savings on the next utility bill.