As a service to you and our community, I want to answer your questions so you can make educated and more informed decisions when it comes to your energy, comfort needs and saving money.
Dear Steve,I have heard a lot of people say that a new thermostat can save money. Can you explain if that is true and how?
Signed, Trying to Stay Warm & Save Money in Kutztown
Dear TTSW&SM, Yes, most households will save 10% on their annual heating bills with a programmable thermostat. It has been shown that reducing the temperature in the home by 10 degrees for a period of 8 hours will reduce energy consumption by an average of 10%.
An automatic, programmable thermostat will accomplish just that if used properly. What you would do is have the temperature drop during the day when no one is at home and also in the middle of the night when you are snug under the covers. Most households can have the temperature down more than 8 hours, but sometimes during the night you may not want to drop it by the 10 degrees.
It truly is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to energy savings. There are many models to choose from; some can be installed by a DIY, some require a professional and there are even some models that can be controlled remotely by your computer or smart phone. In any case, look forward to keeping extra green in your pocket.
Email your questions to Info@MoyerComfort.com for the ASK STEVE column. Steve Moyer, licensed Master Plumber, EPA Certified HVAC Tech and President of Moyer Total Indoor Comfort will answer questions and give expert advice based on his 30+ years of experience in the field. www.moyercomfort.com.
