General Rule
Households can save an estimated 10% a year on heating and cooling bills by simply turning a thermostat back 10-15 degrees for eight hours. It can be done automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat.
Programmable thermostats turn on the heater or air-conditioner on a pre-set and pre-determined schedule. Times may be adjusted resulting in minimum equipment operation especially when household is alseep or unoccupied.
Programmable thermostats can store and repeat multiple daily settings (six or more temperature settings a day) that can be manually overridden without affecting the rest of the daily or weekly program.
General Thermostat Operation Winter Energy Savings
Set thermostat to 68ºF when household is awake and occupied and lower when household is asleep or unoccupied.
Summer Energy Savings
Set central air conditioning thermostat to 78ºF when household is occupied or in need of cooling. Set thermostat temperature warmer when household is unoccupied.
