How to Save Energy With a Manual Thermostat

You can buy and install smart programmable thermostats. Control them from your phone, or program them ahead of schedule for a week or more. If you don’t want to mess with these types of thermostats, keep your old manual one and learn to set it for energy conservation and money saved.

Setting It in the Morning

When you get up in the morning, set your thermostat for the lowest comfortable temperature possible for the current season. For example, if you can set it for 65 degrees in winter, do that. Your furnace will not have to work as hard, and both energy and money are saved. If it is summer, try setting the thermostat higher to prevent overexertion of your air conditioning. In this case, 75 degrees is a good choice. When you set it in the morning prior to leaving for work and/or school, you don’t have to think about it all day.

Adjusting When You Come Home at Night

When you arrive home at night, you can adjust the temperature up or down a few degrees to make the home more comfortable while you are awake. As the house warms or cools for the evening, it will be just the right temperature to reset for cooler or warmer right before bed. Always set the temperature higher in warmer weather and cooler in colder weather to save energy and save on utility costs.

When You Plan to Be Away for Long Stretches

Additionally, if you are going to be away for a few days or a couple weeks, set the manual thermostat as though you are at work for the day, but leave it just like that the whole time you are gone. You can reset for comfort after your long trip, and then begin your routine of morning, evening, and bedtime settings again when you come home.

Judah Byman