The thermostat is a critical component of your HVAC system. Without it, the furnace or air conditioner wouldn’t know when to heat or cool your Tulare, CA, home. In this guide, we briefly discuss some dos and don’ts for using your thermostat.
Don’t Set Extreme Temperatures
If your home gets cold, you don’t want to resort to extreme temperatures to warm your house quickly. Doing this forces your system to work harder than it should. Your unit will not work faster, so you’ll only be wasting energy.
Don’t Locate the Thermostat Near Windows or Doors
There is significant temperature fluctuation in areas around the doors and windows. This leads to incorrect readings by the thermostat. It then sends the wrong temperatures to the furnace or air conditioner and keeps switching on and off without achieving the desired comfort level.
Do Consider Using a Programmable or Smart Thermostat
A programmable thermostat differs from your regular thermostat by allowing you to program it with your preferred settings. It can then automatically adjust temperatures according to your schedule.
A smart thermostat goes a step further by sensing when you’re at home or away, so it can achieve a comfortable temperature when you need it and conserve energy when you don’t. Wi-Fi-enabled smart thermostats let you control the temperature remotely with your smartphone or another device, even if you’re far away on vacation.
According to the EPA’s Energy Star program, a programmable thermostat can save you up to $180 a year. Therefore, it might be worth installing one for the sake of energy-efficiency alone.
Do Clean Your Thermostat Regularly
Over time, the thermostat accumulates dust and debris that could cause problems. Running a dust-filled thermostat can lead to incorrect detection of temperatures and energy wastage. Make sure that the scheduled maintenance of your HVAC system includes cleaning your thermostat.
It’s also important to note that trying to clean the thermostat by yourself may cause breakage. Additionally, cleaning applies only to the regular thermostat.
Don’t Wait for Too Long to Replace the Thermostat
Like all appliances, your thermostat has a lifespan, and as it ages, its efficiency decreases. Consider replacing the thermostat the next time you replace your HVAC system or if you have persistent problems with the device.
To keep your system efficient, contact our team at ZONE Air & Heating Inc. for maintenance plans. We will help you make the most of your home heating and cooling system.
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