Consistently high energy bills may have you looking for ways to cut back on your furnace’s runtime. However, your HVAC’s inefficiency may be a result of using an outdated thermostat. Below, the heating repair technicians at Cincinnati, OH’s Baker, Bauer & Fish Cooling & Heating explain how using the right thermostat can help you save on monthly utility costs.

How Thermostats Increase Your Energy Costs

Homeowners with manual thermostats may find it more challenging to keep their heating expenses under control. That’s because these basic controls cannot be adjusted accurately. In addition, the differential, the temperature difference between when the heat comes on and when it turns off, may be as much as 3⁰.  It's almost impossible to raise or lower the temperature only 1 degree. Instead, first you adjust it a little warmer, but then it gets too warm. Then you adjust it down, but then it gets too cold. It's very hard to set the thermostat to the perfect comfort level. Meanwhile, by continuously raising and lowering the temperature setting, energy is being wasted.

What Type of Thermostat to Choose Instead

Making the switch to a digital thermostat eliminates this problem. It is easy to raise or lower the setting by only 1 degree. And the temperature differential may be less than 1⁰.  More advanced versions allow you to set different temperatures for different times of the day and each day of the week. Many of them also come with Wifi, allowing you to operate the thermostat even when you’re away from home. Some even adjust automatically when you leave and when you come home. This ability to closely regulate the heating and turn off the furnace from a distance helps to lower your energy usage and costs.

Anytime you need advice about the right thermostat for your home, the heating contractor at Baker, Bauer & Fish Cooling & Heating will be happy to offer assistance. They have furnished residents throughout the Greater Cincinnati area with reliable heating repair and installation services. For further information about their furnace replacement and maintenance solutions, call (513) 542-2770 or visit their website.