Your Thermostat and You.

Your Thermostat is a very important and misunderstood piece of your HVAC system. Digital or not. Programmable or not. They all have the same basic function. Main differences will be is it a Heat pump or Straight air. Heat pumps work all year round. Pumping heat out in the hotter season and in during the colder seasons. Straight air on the other hand only runs in the hot months, Heat is provided by either electric heatstrips or a gas furnace. The exception to this rule is the dual fuel system that uses a Heat pump in conjunction with a Gas furnace.

The Thermostat with a Heat pump or Dual fuel will have an extra position for Emergency heat. This is NOT dangerous. This is simply to get you out of a tight spot if your Heat pump goes out and you still need heat. Emergency Heat uses Electric heatstrips (or Gas if you have dual fuel) for heat without the use of the Heat pump. This can be more expensive than the Heat pump, but if it's all you have, use it.

A straight air Thermostat will have only 3 positions. Heat, Cool and off. Very simple. A note about the fan switch. In most cases you will leave the Fan in the "Auto" position. "On" does nothing except make the Blower run continuously. "Auto" allows the Thermostat to turn the Blower on when it is needed.

Now onto programmable Thermostats. Set the program and leave it. No sense spending the money on a programmable Thermostat if you are going to change it everytime you walk down the hall. lol

As far as temperature goes, I am asked a lot about what the best temperature is for each season. I see it this way. If you want to save money then 68* in the winter and 78* in the summer. This is not comfortable for most people. If this is your case, try setting the Thermostat as close to these goal Temps as you can. HVAC is for your comfort. Try to find a middle point where you can be happy with your bill and comfort.

. This is a basic understanding about Thermostats. As always if this is beyond you, call a professional. Thank you.