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A programmable thermostat can save you money based on a simple premise. Why pay to heat your home when you are not there? A furnace is sized in such a way as to be able to deliver a lot of heat in a relatively short period of time. A typical residential furnace can raise the temperature in the home by one degree in five minutes. For example, if there is no one at home during the day, and you program the thermostat to lower the temperature from 72 degrees to 65 degrees, then it only takes about 35 minutes to return to your desired temperature before you get home.
When it comes to Air Conditioning, the same principle does not apply. An air conditioner is not sized in the same way that a furnace is. Not only is an air conditioner cooling the air, it is also busy dehumidifying it as well. With this in mind, it can take a typical residential system a hour to reduce the temperature in the home by only one degree. It is important that you do not program temperature changes in the summer. Your home will stay much more comfortable if you "hold" the same temperature throughout the day.
Cutting Heating Costs
If you turn down the heat 1 degree Fahrenheit (0.6 degrees Celsius) for 8 hours a day, you can save about 1 percent of your heating energy costs. Turn it down 10 degrees F (6 degrees C) to save about 10 percent.
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