Programmable Thermostats

Programmable electronic thermostats cost about $50 and can pay for themselves, in energy savings, in less than a year.	A small investment, relatively easy to install and no loss in comfort.	You can reduce your household greenhouse gas emissions by half a tonne a year if you program your thermostat to lower the house temperature by five degrees Celsius while you're sleeping and at work

What are programmable thermostats?

They are electronic thermostats that automatically adjust your home's temperature settings, thus allowing you to save energy when you're sleeping or away. They are more convenient and accurate than manual thermostats.

How do they work?

Programmable thermostats typically have four daily, automatic settings (wake, day, evening and sleep) and weekend settings. With a manual thermostat, by contrast, you have to remember to adjust the temperature every time you get up, go out, come home and go to bed. A programmable thermostat can also improve comfort, allowing you to warm up the house for a few minutes before you get up or come home from work.

Will a programmable thermostat automatically save me money?

Not if you never change your home temperature setting. The savings come from programming the thermostat to automatically lower the house temperature when you're away or sleeping. For every one degree Celsius you lower the house temperature, for a minimum of eight hours, you can expect to save two per cent on your heating bill. For example, if your monthly heating bill is $200, and you set back your thermostat from, say, 21 to 16 degrees C at night, you could save $100 over a five-month heating season. You could save an additional $100 over the same period by automatically setting back the thermostat by the same amount when you're away at work.

Where can I buy a programmable thermostat?

Most hardware and home improvement stores carry them, as do furnace retailers and contractors.

How do I know which models to choose from?

Although the ENERGY STAR® certification for programmable thermostats ceases as of May 1, 2008, you can still find appropriate models by looking for those with at least two programming periods (for weekdays and weekends) and at least four temperature settings.

Are they difficult to install?

Not usually. If you're replacing an existing, manual thermostat, a battery-powered programmable thermostat can be installed on the existing thermostat wiring (the new thermostat's manual should provide instructions). Thermostats using furnace-control circuit power will require additional wiring from the furnace. If you're not sure, you can hire an electrician or a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor to do it for you.

Are the programming instructions easy to understand and remember?

Some thermostats have the instructions printed on the cover or inside the housing box. If not, you will have to consult the instruction booklet every time you want to change the setback times.

Can I override the automatic settings on a programmable thermostat?

Yes. You can temporarily make the house warmer or cooler, without erasing your programmed settings.

Is it true that it takes more energy to heat the house back up to a comfortable level than you saved by lowering the temperature when you're away or asleep?

No, this is a common misconception. The fuel required to re-heat a building to a comfortable temperature after a period of setback is less than the fuel that would have been used to maintain the higher temperature throughout the same period. The greater the degree of setback and the longer the period of set-back, the more energy and money you save.

Does a programmable thermostat require any maintenance?

Thermostats should be cleaned (i.e. blow out any dust), calibrated and have their batteries checked/changed periodically. A good rule of thumb is to have a contractor check the thermostat when cleaning or checking the furnace.

What should I do with my old thermostat?

Many manual thermostats have a switching tube that contains mercury. When removing the thermostat, be careful not to break the tube. Ask your local hazardous materials/chemical drop-off centre (often a fire hall) if it accepts old thermostats that contain mercury.