LifeNRA Posted January 8, 2006 Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 A few months ago I installed a programable thermostat. I ran a test for a few days. I cut the oil furnace from running 6-8 hours per day when nobody is home. Thats 42-56 hours per week! 168-224 hours per month! There is some money being saved here! The thermostat costs about $60. There are some models that are more and less. What is really nice about this is that you set the thermostat to start back up like 30 minutes before you wake up or get home from work. I saw a post about burning wood, thought I would share this with the rest! I know I am saving some money on oil heating costs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimfrompa Posted January 8, 2006 Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 Re: Programable Thermostats Sounds worth looking into. How cold does it let the house get? And do you lose some of the savings when the heater has to work to get the house back up to temp? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted January 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 Re: Programable Thermostats That depends on how cold you let it. I have a 5 degree differance. It does not take long to heat up to its highest setting. The test I did was between where it would be on all the time 24 hours a day keeping the same temp. Compared to the cycle of 5 degrees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted January 8, 2006 Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 Re: Programable Thermostats We tried to install one of those when we got the AC installed, but our wiring couldn't handle the amperage or voltage or something. So we had to go back to the other kind. I kick the thermostat back to 65 during the day, and kick it up to 68 when I get home, then back to 66 67 at night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LifeNRA Posted January 8, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 8, 2006 Re: Programable Thermostats Yeah Chris I swing from 65 to 70 degrees. I like it cooler when I sleep, so during the day it drops down. Then when the wife and kid get home its back to 70 for them and when I get up. Really amazed how well this thing is working. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcwa Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Re: Programable Thermostats You will love it. and it will pay for itself. I installed one 4 years ago and it has saved me alot of money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arrow32 Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Re: Programable Thermostats Sounds worth it. Save some money cant beat that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clayman Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Re: Programable Thermostats [ QUOTE ] Sounds worth looking into. How cold does it let the house get? And do you lose some of the savings when the heater has to work to get the house back up to temp? [/ QUOTE ] They let the house get as cold as you program it for. If you set it for 60 overnight it maintains 60 until you reach the programmed time to warm up. I'm not sure how the numbers run for oil heat, or for some of your southern homes that are on heat pump systems, but for our natural gas system up here in the frozen hinterlands of Minnesota I saw somewhere that you should keep the temperature fluctuation within ten degrees. Any savings you have by lowering the temperature will be lost by trying to warm up ten degrees or more. My family (and my checkbook) have been happy with a temperature swing of about 6 degrees between sleeping and waking hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdvantageTimberLou Posted January 9, 2006 Report Share Posted January 9, 2006 Re: Programable Thermostats We have one and like it and it does save on the furnace and money in the long run, we set it to 68 when we are at work........and don't shoot me, its the wife....... she likes it at 72 degrees for the evening!! She always feels cold!! Would go hotter if you could but she doesn't like high heating bills! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snipe Posted January 10, 2006 Report Share Posted January 10, 2006 Re: Programmable Thermostats [ QUOTE ] I'm not sure how the numbers run for oil heat, or for some of your southern homes that are on heat pump systems, but for our natural gas system up here in the frozen hinterlands of Minnesota I saw somewhere that you should keep the temperature fluctuation within ten degrees. Any savings you have by lowering the temperature will be lost by trying to warm up ten degrees or more. [/ QUOTE ] You are correct clayman...I have been in the residential, commercial HVAC Business for going on 26 years... The 10 degree limit is a good rule to go by...depending where you live a programmable t-stat can save you as little as 5% up to 10%.. so many things come into play..insulation in the house, colder temps than normal, and the biggest one when the wife is cold.. ... So if any of you were on the fence wanting to get one...I suggest you do..It will pay for itself in under a year...And after that its money in the bank or your favorite pro shop... Also all systems can have a programmable T-stat.....If you guys have any questions drop me a line I will be more than happy to help... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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