Atlanta, Georgia – The expenses of owning a home add up, but paying for your heating and cooling services doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg for Roswell residents. As summer approaches, you can save money on your AC bill each month by installing a programmable thermostat.

“For every degree a thermostat is lowered over an eight to twelve hour period, homeowners can save between one and three percent on their energy bills,” says Phil Montgomery, owner of Atlanta Heating and Air Conditioning, which provides Marietta residents with 24 hour heating and cooling service. “In a hot Atlanta summer, that can add up to significant savings for homeowners each year.”

With a programmable thermostat to control their Marietta air conditioning unit, homeowners are able to create settings for different times of the day, as well as for different seasons. During the summer, this allows them to save energy by having the cooling system work only when it is needed, resulting in savings in energy and money for the homeowner. Energy Star, the government’s energy efficiency program, estimates that the average homeownehr can save up to $180 each year on their utility bills. And if your unit works less, that means you don’t have to worry about needing air conditioning services in Marietta or even heater repair services as often.

Every home has periods during the day when it doesn’t require as much cool air, or heat, to make it comfortable. If homeowners are at work all day and no one is home, it doesn’t make sense to cool the home all day. With a programmable thermostat, homeowners are able to “tell” it’s what times of the day when no one is home and it can adjust the temperature accordingly.

Choosing the right thermostat

There are many different programmable thermostats on the market, and they range greatly in price and features. For around $40, homeowners can purchase a basic model, but if you’re looking for features such as touchpad programming, voice activation or even the ability to control it remotely, you might spend closer to several hundred dollars.

If you have an especially busy family, a 7-day model might be right for you. This is great for families who have different schedules each day of the week. This model allows you to set a different schedule for each day of the week.

A 5+2 day thermostat allows you to set a schedule for the weekdays and then a different one for the weekend when you may be home more often. A 5+1+1 model, on the other hand, will allow you to set a schedule for the five weekdays and a different one for each weekend day. That way, if your children have sports practices or you spend Sundays at church, your thermostat can be set accordingly.

Some models of programmable thermostats have programs that allow you to control them through your computer or mobile phone. If you’re on vacation and want to make sure the thermostat is set correctly, you can access the information from anywhere, guaranteeing that even if you’re relaxing on the beach, you can be sure you’re saving money at home.

Setting the right schedule

To get the most out of your savings, you’ll want to find a schedule that works the best for your family. In the beginning, it may take some time to find the perfect schedule. Most thermostats will have pre-programmed settings based on the hours a typical household keeps. Simply adjust the pre-programmed times to fit your family’s schedule.

Once you’ve set your schedule, you can adjust the temperature your thermostat sets itself when you aren’t home. This will be different depending on the time of year and it may take some adjusting on your part to get it to the level that is comfortable for your family.

It’s important to also remember that the location of the thermostat can affect its performance. Always read the installation instructions from the manufacturer. Keep the thermostat away from direct sunlight, drafty areas of your home, doorways, windows and skylights.

A programmable thermostat can do the thinking for you, allowing you to sit back and enjoy the savings. Not only will you save money on energy costs each year, your heating or air conditioning unit will work less, meaning you won’t need repair as often.

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