Ready, set … your thermostat!

Heating and cooling account for about half the energy used in a typical home, so it’s a great place to use less energy. 

Mechanical thermostats are easy to control by adjusting a dial or sliding switch. But you must make temperature adjustments manually, which is easy to forget. They are inefficient because they typically heat or cool the home beyond the set point. 

Also, some mechanical thermostats contain mercury. You can determine that by removing the front plate and looking for small glass bulbs. If your thermostat contains mercury, replace it and properly recycle it. 

Digital thermostats are more accurate and efficient, and some are programmable, which is a great option for people who don’t have internet or don’t want their thermostat data tracked. 

Smart thermostats—which require an internet connection—are Wi-Fi-enabled and can be controlled using a smartphone app. Programming is easier, and you can track and manage use and temperature data. 

Note: Not all programmable thermostats work well with heat pumps. We suggest you choose a programmable thermostat that has adaptive recovery technology for less energy use. 

Misconceptions about thermostats 

It’s a common misconception that the higher you turn your thermostat up or the lower you turn it down, the faster your home’s temperature will change. Turning your thermostat down to 55 degrees to cool your home faster is like repeatedly pushing the elevator button and expecting it to arrive faster. 

Further, it does not take more energy to heat or cool a house instead of leaving it the same temperature. The larger the temperature variance between inside and outside, the more energy your system uses.

MIRANDA BOUTELLE writes on energy efficiency for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.