Not all smart thermostats are the same. Some come with learning algorithms, occupancy sensors, geofencing features or a mixture of them. However, the thermostat is only as good as the settings. If you don’t use the right ones, you won’t achieve all of the potential energy savings. In this article, we go over unique thermostat tips for the winter.
Lower the Temperature Two-Three Degrees While Sleeping
Most people sleep comfortably in rooms that are cool and quiet. This means in the winter, you should adjust the thermostat a couple of degrees lower while you sleep. The heater won’t have to run as much and you may find you sleep better than before. And with a smart thermostat, you won’t have to worry about waking up to a cold house. The thermostat will automatically raise the temperature right before you wake as long as you schedule it to.
Lower the Heat by five-seven Degrees When Away From Home
There’s no need for the heater to run at full force while no one is home. You, of course, want the system to run enough to keep your pipes from freezing, but other than that, it doesn’t need to run constantly. Instead, it’s best to have the thermostat set about five to seven degrees lower while you’re away. This saves money without sacrificing comfort because you can set the thermostat to raise the temperature right before you get home.
Set Up Geofencing
With geofencing, the thermostat uses your phone’s GPS data to tell the HVAC whether to turn on or off. When you leave your home, the HVAC kicks off to save energy. It’ll keep the home at a safe but lower temperature. When it detects your phone is back within a set radius, it’ll kick the HVAC back on to warm up the house to your preferred comfort level. Geofencing is especially helpful for busy households who are constantly coming and going.
Schedule Gradual Temperature Shifts Rather Than Sudden Jumps
When the heater turns on to make a sudden jump in temperature, this puts a lot of strain on the system. It’s better to do gradual adjustments so that the equipment can work more efficiently. You may need to look for a ramp or gradual-heat setting to access this type of temperature management.
Use Adaptive Recovery
Adaptive recovery is a setting on a lot of smart thermostats that stores data about how long it takes for your heater to heat up the home. It then uses this data to ensure it doesn’t kick the furnace on too soon or too late when getting the home to your preferred temperature. In addition to reducing wear on the system, it also makes the home more comfortable thanks to its precise timing.
Turn On Occupancy Detection
If you get a smart thermostat with occupancy sensors, you need to be careful with their placement. We can help you decide where to install them. You don’t want to put them near vents or in corners where no one ever goes. Instead, you want them located in every main living area so that the system can fully detect movement. When a sensor detects someone is in the room, it will signal the system to condition that space. When the person leaves the room, it reduces heating to avoid wasting energy. This is particularly helpful for zoned HVAC systems.
Personalize Each Day’s Temperature According to Your Lifestyle
There’s no universal heating schedule that works great for all homes in Moore, OK. Instead, you need to create a personalized schedule that matches your daily routines. You may need to set one temperature on weekday mornings and then another in the evenings. It all depends on your normal activities and when you usually come to and from the home. The goal is to fine-tune the schedule so that you have a heater that only runs when you need it to.
Activate Eco Mode
Many smart thermostats also come with an eco mode, which aims to achieve the best balance possible between comfort and energy efficiency. When you turn this mode on, the thermostat uses its own algorithms to choose set points that maximize energy performance. This is an excellent option for saving energy when you aren’t sure what temperatures to choose. The HVAC will run without overheating while making sure to maintain safe, steady indoor comfort.
Use Proper Humidity Control
If your smart thermostat has humidity control, you’ll definitely want to use it. Dry air makes a room feel colder than it really is, which often leads people to turn the thermostat up and use more energy. With proper humidity balance, it becomes easier to lower the thermostat a couple of degrees without feeling too cold.
Activate Weather-Responsive Adjustments
If your thermostat comes with a weather-responsive feature, it can react in real-time to the outdoor temperature. When it detects a mild outdoor temperature, it knows not to cycle the heater on as much. When it detects sudden cold fronts or sharp temperature drops, it tells the heater to run for longer to keep the home safe and warm. This feature is very helpful for maintaining a comfortable home during rapidly changing winter conditions.
Learn About Heating Setbacks and How to Use Them
With heating setbacks, you can program short temperature drops so that the heater won’t run unnecessarily during high-activity periods. This may include while you’re cooking, cleaning, working out or doing some type of physical work from home. You can automate the setbacks using your thermostat’s scheduling settings. Even if it’s for just 30 to 60 minutes a day, short setbacks can add up to meaningful energy savings.
Use Remote Access to Make Real-Time Temperature Changes
Remote access is one of the most popular reasons people install smart thermostats. If you forget to lower the temperature before you head out to do some holiday shopping, just log into the app on your phone and make the adjustment. It’s that easy.
Pair the Thermostat With Smart Blinds
Smart thermostats can easily integrate with other home automation systems, like smart blinds. Doing this is great for energy savings because the two systems can work together to reduce heat loss. For example, you can set the blinds to close at dusk so that the home stays warmer and the heater doesn’t have to run as often during the night.
Use Vacation Mode When You Leave for Extended Periods of Time
Don’t forget to prepare for your vacation by setting up vacation mode on the thermostat. This setting lowers the heat to a safe, energy-saving level while you’re away. As long as you set your return date, it will have the home warm and cozy for you once you return.
We Are Here to Help
We find most homeowners enjoy the most energy savings when they keep the thermostat set at 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter. We’re here to answer any questions you may have. We offer thermostat installations, repairs and maintenance in addition to other HVAC services like furnace repair and more. Call Home Comfort Solutions today to hire one of Moore’s most respected HVAC providers.
