People are always looking for effective ways to save money, especially when it comes to their heating and cooling expenses. There are plenty of energy-saving tips out there that can help cut those extra costs without sacrificing comfort, but perhaps the best way to do this is by having a digital programmable thermostat installed in your home.
In this blog, our Carrollton AC service pros at Lex Air Conditioning and Heating cover the ins and outs of programmable thermostats and how they can make all the difference when it comes to energy savings.
The Role of Your Thermostat
Thermostats play a crucial role in managing a comfortable temperature within your home, something especially important here in the South. They work to regulate your home’s temperature by turning your HVAC system on and off based on the temperature you set.
While older, traditional thermostats play the same role in regulating your indoor temperature, they don’t do much when it comes to cutting down energy consumption. Luckily, modern thermostat technologies, such as programmable thermostats, stepped in to save the day.
Programmable thermostats allow homeowners to set varying temperatures for different times of the day or week, which aligns energy use with your actual needs. This smarter management of heating and cooling systems not only optimizes comfort but also minimizes unnecessary energy waste and helps cut down your electric bill significantly.
Manual vs. Programmable Thermostats
The differences between manual and programmable thermostats highlight the evolution of energy-efficient home technology. As the name implies, manual models call for adjusting your thermostat settings by hand, which can lead to inefficiencies if not regularly monitored and adjusted based on your actual needs.
Programmable thermostats, on the other hand, allow you to set specific temperatures according to your daily routine. This capability can make a big difference in energy consumption by reducing heating or cooling when it’s not needed, like during work hours or overnight.
Benefits of Upgrading to a Programmable Thermostat
A digital programmable thermostat has the ability to be set to the exact preference of the person using it at the exact time he or she wants the air conditioner or heating system to start and stop. For example, if you are at work all day during the winter, there is no need for you to keep the heater running if there is nobody else living in your house. However, if you wait until you return home from work to turn on the furnace, you will need to wait an additional 30 minutes or more for the furnace to heat the entire house. Meanwhile, you are still cold and uncomfortable. The same can be said for your central air conditioning system or heat pump during the summer.
When you install a programmable thermostat, you can program it to turn your furnace, heat pump, or AC on at a specific time, say 30 minutes before you usually arrive home. That way, when you walk in the door, your HVAC system will have already been cranking out the heat or cool air for a half-hour, so you will not have to sit there shivering while you wait for your house to warm up. Not only will you be comfortable, but you also save energy in the process, which directly translates to saving money on your energy bill.
Tips for Setting Your Thermostat to Save Money
Most people believe that if they set their thermostat at a lower temperature than normal, it will speed up cooling their house (or vice versa with setting higher temperatures in the winter to heat the home quicker). This is a common misconception.
The truth is, your air conditioning and heating system works at the same speed regardless of the thermostat setting. Not to mention, over-adjusting leads to more energy being used, which leads to increased heating and cooling costs in the long run.
Below, we’ll give you a few helpful thermostat setting tips to give you the most bang for your buck.
Optimal Thermostat Settings for Summer and Winter
Best Summer Thermostat Setting: The U.S. Department of Energy recommends you set your thermostat to 78°F when you are home during the summer and increase it a few more degrees while you are away. We know that here in North Texas, that isn’t always bearable with the 100+ degree weather we experience. In that case, set your thermostat to the highest possible setting that is still comfortable for you while you are home, and try increasing it to 78° or higher while you’re away. Using ceiling fans can help cool the room when the temperature is higher than your normal setting. Whole-home dehumidifiers can also help control your indoor humidity.
Best Winter Thermostat Setting: During winter, experts suggest the best temperature for your home is about 68°F while you’re awake. It’s also recommended that you lower temperatures by 5-10 degrees during your sleeping hours or while you’re away from home, if possible. Not only does this reduce energy consumption, but when a house drops below its normal temperature, it also minimizes heat loss, reducing the workload on your heating system and the hit to your wallet. Using a whole-home humidifier can make lower temperatures feel more comfortable, but it’s also important to seal any drafts to prevent air leaks that can lead to uneven temperatures in your home.
Achieve Even Greater Energy Savings With Smart Thermostats
Programmable thermostats aren’t the only modern thermostats to change the game in recent years. Homeowners can achieve even greater energy savings by upgrading to a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats connect to your smart phone, allowing you make temperature changes to your home remotely.
This technology not only provides the convenience of adjusting temperature settings from anywhere, but it also learns your schedule and temperature preferences. Over time, your smart thermostat will automatically make energy-efficient adjustments, such as lowering the heat or air conditioning during the hours when you’re typically away or asleep.
Some models can even detect changes in humidity and weather, adjusting your HVAC system to operate at optimal energy efficiency under varying conditions. The intelligent temperature management from smart thermostats further reduces unnecessary energy use, leading to a lower electricity bill and a more eco-friendly home.
How to Choose the Right Thermostat for Your North Texas Home
There are a number of manual, programmable, and smart thermostat options on the market, so which one is right for you? When choosing the right thermostat for your North Texas home, the first thing you need to do is ensure compatibility with your existing HVAC system, whether you have a heat pump, furnace, central air conditioning system, or ductless AC system. Different types of HVAC systems may require specific types of thermostats to function efficiently. For example, heat pumps often need thermostats capable of handling both heating and cooling cycles.
The next thing to do is to consider the features offered. If your biggest concern is energy savings, programmable thermostats are a great option. If you seek more advanced features (such as learning capabilities that adjust to your habits and integration with home automation systems), a smart thermostat might be your best bet.
Last but not least, you’ll need to assess your budget. While manual thermostats and most programmable thermostats are generally pretty affordable, smart thermostats tend to be more expensive because of their advanced features. Keep in mind, though, that the initial investment may be offset by the potential energy savings and increased convenience they offer.
At Lex Air Conditioning and Heating, we work with all major HVAC brands and models, but after years in the industry, we can confidently recommend the following thermostats for Carrollton, TX homeowners for their advanced features, energy efficiency, and reliability.
Trane ComfortLink™ II XL850
Equipped with a colorful, 4.3-inch touchscreen interface and Wi-Fi connectivity, the Trane ComfortLink™ II XL850 thermostat allows for temperature control from virtually anywhere. Here are some of its other impressive features:
- Connectivity with Nexia™ Home Intelligence
- Real-time diagnostics
- Filter and maintenance alerts
- Built-in Z-Wave bridge
- 7-day programming
Trane ComfortLink™ II XL950
The Trane ComfortLink™ II XL950 is another advanced Wi-Fi thermostat that features an interactive, 7-inch touchscreen display for easy control of home heating, cooling, and air filtration systems. Some of its key features include:
- Weather forecast
- Temperature scheduling
- One-touch presets
- Allergy clean/quick clean cycles
- Operating runtime analysis
- System alerts
- Lock screen security
- Custom screen options and screen savers
- Ten-year warranty
Trane ComfortLink™ II XL1050
Like the XL950, the Trane ComfortLink™ II XL1050 thermostat features a large, 7-inch, user-friendly touchscreen interface and Wi-Fi connectivity for remote access via a smartphone app. Features include:
- Wi-Fi or ethernet connectivity
- Weather forecast, radar, and alerts
- System alerts
- Screen savers and widget options
- Color themes
- 7-day programming
- Allergy clean/quick clean cycles
- Lock screen and guest access security
- One-touch presets
- Ten-year warranty
Trane XL624
The Trane XL624 thermostat is a programmable, touch-screen thermostat with a straightforward 4.3-inch black-and-white LCD interface. This device uses Z-Wave technology that gives you access to manage and set your thermostat from anywhere. Take a look at some of its most notable features:
- Up to 4 daily heating/cooling schedules
- Adjustable fan control with variable-speed indoor unit
- Lock screen and guest access security
- Built-in humidity sensor
- Dehumidification setting
- Filter and maintenance alerts
- One-touch presets
- Upgradable software
Trane XL824
The Trane XL824 is an Energy Star-certified smart thermostat equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities, making it fully controllable via a smartphone, computer, or tablet. This 7-day programmable unit is compatible with nearly all HVAC systems, offering flexibility and convenience for managing your home’s climate. Key features include:
- 4.3” high-definition color screen
- Compatible with virtually all gas/electric heat pump and dual fuel systems
- Weather forecast and weather radar
- Built-in Z-Wave bridge
- Up to 6 daily heating/cooling schedules
- Indoor relative humidity display
- Upgradable software
- Weather forecast, radar, and alerts
Let the Carrollton HVAC Pros at Lex Air Conditioning and Heating Help You Save Money
If you’re looking to upgrade your thermostat and cut your utility bills, the Carrollton thermostat installation experts at Lex Air have you covered. We provide same-day service and installation, as well as around-the-clock support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call Lex Air at (972) 217-8955 or contact us online to set up an appointment today!
