How Can a Good Thermostat Improve Energy Efficiency?

Illinois homeowners are constantly on the search for ways that they can improve their home’s energy efficiency, from turning down the temperature at night to drawing the shades in the summer to prevent the sun from unnecessarily heating the home. Indeed, the search for ways to be more energy efficient and reduce one’s power bill can be exhausting!

But it doesn’t have to be. In fact, there is one minor–yet major–step that you can take that can have a big payoff when it comes to energy efficiency and your heating and cooling bills: replacing your thermostat.

The Benefits of a Good Thermostat

The benefits of a good thermostat are numerous, and if your thermostat is outdated–and certainly if its not programmable–it is time to upgrade. A programmable thermostat that is reliable can really help your family’s energy efficiency by:

• Accurately detecting the current temperature within the home;
• Providing the ability to adjust your thermostat to turn the temperature down when you’re away or sleeping; and
• Allowing you to use your programmable thermostat to “zone” heat your home, which means that temperatures in different parts of your home can differ depending upon their use.

If you’re really into energy efficiency and finding savings whenever possible, you may consider investing in a smart thermostat. This type of thermostat can be controlled remotely, which means that if you leave for vacation without thinking about reprogramming your thermostat for the time you’ll be gone, no problem – you can adjust the temperature in your home via a mobile app on your phone. You can even get a learning thermostat, like Nest, which programs itself based on your family’s habits. The Nest is the first thermostat to get the Energy Star certification, with an independent study showing that it saves between 10 to 12 percent on heating bills and up to 15 percent on cooling costs!

What Else Can I Do?

The first thing that you should do if you want to improve energy efficiency and have an outdated thermostat is to replace the thermostat with a programmable or smart model. If you don’t see a big change in energy usage and your monthly bill, you may need to take other action, like sealing your heating and cooling ducts, insulating your home, performing equipment maintenance, or even replacing your heating and cooling system. For all of these services and more, the team at Van Drunen Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to help.

Contact Us Today

To learn more about energy efficiency, or to invest in heating and cooling system maintenance, repair, or replacement, call our team today. You can reach us at 708-339-6444, or by sending us a quick message using the online form on our website.