Properly Programming Thermostats for Energy Savings and Comfort

(NU), December 20, 2011 – From smart phones to programmable thermostats, today's electronics come equipped with advanced operating systems that make life easier and more efficient, while helping consumers save time, energy and money when used to their fullest capabilities. The challenge is knowing how to take full advantage of the capabilities of these devices.

Consider indoor environment devices like programmable thermostats. Programmable thermostats are capable of controlling the entire heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system – from heating and cooling to indoor air quality and energy management.

"Simply adjusting the temperature up and down doesn’t always equate to savings or even comfort in the home," said Jonathan Payne, product manager, programmable controls, at Carrier. "The key to total comfort is the homeowner's ability to control the temperature, humidity, air circulation and energy use. Being able to accomplish all of these functions with a single, easy-to-use control provides convenience for the homeowner."

Although many homes today are equipped with programmable thermostats, they may not be programmed or used properly. To truly realize the advantages of a programmable thermostat, homeowners might consider these tips:

1. Choose a thermostat that manages your system properly and efficiently. Select a thermostat that is not only easy for you to understand and program, but one that controls all of the equipment that is part of your HVAC system, including an air purifier, humidifier, air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump.
2. Have the HVAC control or thermostat installed by a Carrier® factory authorized dealer or other HVAC expert to ensure that the wiring and settings are configured to match the needs of your specific system.
3. Choose a program that fits well with your lifestyle and stick with it. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), energy can be saved if you keep energy-saving set points activated for longer timeframes. So, you might consider leaving home energy-saving set points on during the day, when everyone is at work/school, or at night, when family members are asleep, for instance.
4. Avoid overuse of the temporary "hold" feature. If you consistently "hold" or over-ride the pre-programmed settings on your thermostat, you could be wasting energy. The EPA suggests that the "hold" and "vacation" settings should be set several degrees warmer in the summer and several degrees cooler in the winter and only be used when you’re planning to be away from the home for an extended period.
5. Try not to achieve a quick fix. The EPA’s Proper Use Guidelines for Programmable Controls indicates that you will not heat or cool your house faster by adjusting the temperature on your thermostat to the extremes – up to 80 degrees or down to 30 degrees.

To learn more about the complete line of Carrier programmable thermostats, call 1-800-CARRIER or visit www.residential.carrier.com.

About Carrier

Carrier is the world’s leader in high technology heating, air-conditioning and refrigeration solutions. Carrier experts provide sustainable solutions, integrating energy-efficient products, building controls, and energy services for residential, commercial, retail, transport and foodservice customers. Founded by the inventor of modern air conditioning, Carrier improves the world around us through engineered innovation and environmental stewardship. Carrier is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp., a leading provider to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide. Visit www.carrier.com for more information.