5 of 7

Write now Article Tools

Thermostats are connected to furnaces, air conditioners and water heaters which can all be adjusted for efficiency. There are also thermostats for egg incubators, gas wall heaters, propane powered greenhouse heaters and tankless water heaters. Being familiar with how your thermostat works, what your needs are and what the highest and lowest temperature one's household can live with is the first step in obtaining maximum energy savings.

Furnace Thermostats:

Adjusting thermostat temperatures below 68 degrees is efficient in winter but only if the furnace is tuned up and has a new air filter. An inefficient furnace will do little for a well adjusted thermostat even though a well set thermostat will help reduce energy losses. In the case of furnace thermostats, the furnace can be set to turn on only when the temperature drops to a degree below the temperature setting rather than the same temperature as the thermostat setting. This .5-1 degree difference can have an effect after a furnace turns on every 30 minutes 24 hours a day for several months of the year.

Water Heater Thermostats:

In the case of water heaters there are vacation, warm, very warm and hot settings. In the summer the warm setting can be quite sufficient to obtain a pleasant shower and in the winter it takes a little more umph to warm up the water and keep it that way. Adjusting a water heater thermostat alongside a furnace thermostat appropriately can save money.

Air Conditioner Thermostats:

In the summer a setting of 72 degrees helps conserve energy as many central air conditioners simply aren't capable of cooling a house much below this anyway. Be being flexible with the range of temperature one is willing to endure through a slightly higher thermostat setting one can save money and energy.

Other Tips:

-Replacing old thermostats with sophisticated programmable thermostats can help save energy by programming on and off times like a socket timer i.e. to only turn on when they are needed.

-Knowing the seasons, typical temperatures for one's region and how one's home responds to temperature changes all help forecast when to set a thermostat to what temperature setting to maximize on energy savings.

-When a home is empty for long periods of time it is also not necessary to have an overly warm setting as the walls don't really care how cold it is and plants and some animals can generally handle temperatures several degrees lower than people.

-Turning the thermostat up during late spring through early fall is a good idea in several climates as this ensures the furnace will not go on at all for those little dips below 68 degrees which might not matter all that much in the middle of the night when everyone is supposed to be sleeping. The same applies for air conditioning in mid-late spring and early fall.

Even though thermostats don't have a brain and are relatively simple devices they can help save energy if set and/or programmed in certain ways. Setting a thermostat for maximum energy settings is one step in greener, more environmentally conscious and energy efficient living. By applying the above techniques and tips, one is better equipped to more effectively manage a thermostats temperature settings for more energy efficient performance.

Learn more about this author, A.W. Berry.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How to set your thermostat for maximum energy savings?
We want to hear your view. Write now!