Thermostats are a crucial component of your home’s heating and cooling system. It regulates and monitors the climate control settings in your home, and helps keep your family comfortable during the heat of summer and now, during the colder winter season.
At Dixie Electric, Plumbing & Air, we are frequently asked by our customers about thermostats and how to operate them in the most effective manner. Here are our top five most-asked questions and our answers. Before we get started, keep in mind that we decided to have a little fun with this blog!
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- How do I get my grandma to leave the thermostat alone?
Well, the best way is to encase your thermostat in a locked compartment and keep the key in your possession. Another more practical way is to install a WiFi-controlled thermostat that you can monitor remotely. Just remember who has control of the thermostat at all times. If you want a chuckle, read about this funny WiFi thermostat review.
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- My husband is a cheapskate and turns our thermostat WAY down at night and off when we are gone. Is it really cheaper to do that?
Not really. Turning your system way down or completely off makes your home susceptible to outside factors. For example, an unexpected cold spell could freeze the water in your fish tank (not to mention your indoor plumbing). While we are just kidding, of course, the better option is to simply turn it down 7-10 degrees, or invest in a programmable thermostat. This will allow you to bring the temperature back up to a comfortable level prior to you arriving back home.
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- My dog will be at home all day while I’m at work this winter, what should I set the thermostat to?
If you must leave Fido behind, make sure he has a sweater and then turn the thermostat down like you normally would 7-10 degrees. Our pet’s’ body temperatures are a bit higher than humans, so they can handle you being energy-efficient—unless they’re hairless!
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- Is it more efficient for me to just use the programmed features or for me to set at a constant, specific temperature?
Duh… if you have a programmable thermostat use it! A programmable system allows for efficiency in climate control and can save you money on your utility bills. It can also save you precious time by eliminating the need to manually adjust settings.
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- How often should thermostat batteries be changed out?
Some HVAC experts say every six months, others say once per year. Both are good answers, though the best plan is to follow the recommendation in your thermostat owner’s manual. And whatever you do, don’t wait until the batteries go dead… your teeth will be chattering while you rummage through your cabinets looking for fresh ones.
For more American Standard, Nexia thermostat information and all your heating and cooling needs, call Dixie today.
