A reasonable estimate of savings resulting from the installation of a programmable setback thermostat comes from a study by the U.S. Department of Energy. In it they state, "You can save around 10% a year on your home heating costs by simply turning your thermostat back 10-15 degrees for eight hours."
You can also expect comparable savings on your air conditioning bill when you turn the thermostat UP 10 to 15 degrees.
For example, a 10 degree set back every night for the entire heating season could save you as much as $200 if you heat with oil.
You could save even more money by also setting the thermostat back 10 degrees whenever you leave home for more than two hours.
Both night time and day time settings can be programmed simultaneously with the Sleep/Wake/Leave/Return function available on any good digital setback thermostat.
Since you can purchase a well made digital setback thermostat for as little as $40, it's the gift that keeps on giving.
A common misconception associated with programmable thermostats is that a furnace works harder than normal to warm the home back to a comfortable temperature after the thermostat has been set back, resulting in little or no savings.
The Iowa Energy Center refutes this myth with the following explanation: "Years of research and numerous studies have shown that the fuel required to reheat a home is roughly equal to the fuel saved as the home drops to the lower temperature. This will result in fuel savings between the times the temperature stabilizes at the lower level and the next time heat is needed. The longer the house remains at the lower temperature, the more energy saved."
The amount of time it takes to reheat your home is much shorter than the time necessary to cool it off. Reheating your home should take about 30 minutes with a 10 degree set back. Cooling down your house could take 60 to 90 minutes depending on the outside temperature, humidity and how well your house is insulated.
If you have a manual thermostat, you probably already turn it down when you go to bed or leave for work. The good news is you're saving just as much money as you would with a setback thermostat.
The bad news is you're waking up to chilly house in the winter and coming home to a "hot house" in the summer.
With a programmable setback thermostat, you can enjoy comfort and savings too.
For more inexpensive ideas to reduce your home's heating and air conditioning bills, please visit "Weatherizing Your Home" at Alternative-Heating-Info.com
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