Installing a programmable thermostat is a great way to save money on your heating and cooling bills. According to EPA estimates, a properly used programmable thermostat can save homeowners over $200 per year on energy costs for heating and cooling.
Properly installing your new thermostat is critical for efficient operation. Your thermostat should be located about five feet above the floor and away from heating and cooling registers, light fixtures, and exterior doors and windows.
Also be sure it is not exposed to direct sunlight at some point throughout the day. If exposed to direct sunlight, your thermostat will think the temperature is a few degrees higher than the actual temperature and will allow the temperature in your home to drop in the winter or rise in the summer.
Avoid these temperature swings by placing the thermostat in a location away from windows. An interior hallway is often an excellent location for a thermostat. If your thermostat is mounted in an improper location, you will probably need an electrician to move it to a better location.
To install your new thermostat, turn off the electricity then follow the instructions that came with your new thermostat. In many cases, swapping the wires from the old thermostat to the new one is a straightforward proposition. However, some older thermostats might be wired differently than your new thermostat. If you run into any problems or are not sure where the wires should be attached, stop and call a good HVAC contractor like Holland Heating and Installation. This is not something you can guess at. Your Holland Heating HVAC technician will make sure that your new thermostat is installed properly.
