Programmable thermostats can help reduce energy bills
The mood at the table turned frosty as my son and daughter heard the news.
“Natural gas prices are going way up. Your gas bill could be several hundred dollars a month,” my wife told them, as we sat at the kitchen table, eating pizza. “You’re going to have to start saving your money.”
Matt and Katy, who each share apartments with other college students, listened quietly.
Katy looked worried.
“This is just … great,” Matt said.
“Hey, no problem,” I said. “Just turn your heat way down and wear your coats indoors. And get some more blankets.”
All I got was an icy stare.
Timing your needs
One way to cut down on heating bills is pretty simple: Turn your thermostat down when you leave the house or when you go to bed.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, by turning your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees for eight hours, you can save between 5 percent and 15 percent a year on your heating bill.
That’s a savings of as much as 1 percent for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long.
There’s only one problem with manually turning your thermostat down when you go to bed: When you wake up, you have to turn it back up, then shiver for a while until the house heats up.
A better solution? Get a programmable thermostat.
It automatically lowers the temperature while you’re in bed and turns it up shortly before you get up.
You also can set the timer to turn down the heat when you’re away during the day, then have it warm up again shortly before you arrive home — saving another 5 percent to 15 percent on your heating bill.
Energy stars
Recent stories
6News video: KU hopes to keep energy costs down this winter (11-7-03)
Kansans should brace for higher gas bills (10-3-03)There are several different types of programmable thermostats, ranging in price between $35 and $150. Manufacturers say you can recoup the cost in a month or two with the savings.
Many of them use batteries as a backup, so you won’t lose the programming if your electricity briefly goes out.
The “7-day” models let you change options for each day of the week, while the other models give you one set of options for the weekday, then one or two sets of options for the weekends (5+1+1 and 5+2 models).
You also might want to consider the most efficient models, which carry the federal Energy Star logo.
The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency give Energy Star ratings to products that meet strict energy efficiency guidelines. (www.energystar.gov /index.cfm?c=heat_cool.pr_hvac)
Manufacturers that put out thermostats with the Energy Star designation include Hunter, Lux and Honeywell. The only drawback is they tend to be the more expensive models, running about $120 or more. Other thermostat manufacturers include Robertshaw and Bryant.
Honeywell is the world leader in thermostats, so I checked out a couple of its models. One is the Smart Response Programmable Thermostat, which allows you to make four settings per day, with different settings for each day of the week.
It has a large, easy-to-read LCD display that is backlit to make it easy to read in the dark.
Phoning home
Honeywell also has an EnergyPro model designed to work with your local utility to reduce your energy consumption during peak times. A signal is sent to your home to reduce your energy consumption during the utility’s peak times. When the signal is on, the word “save” shows up on your thermostat’s LCD screen. You can override it if you want.
Honeywell also offers a telephone access module, which allows you to dial into your system and make changes.
It also calls you in case of heating or cooling problems or if you need to replace your furnace filter. You can give it up to three pre-designated numbers to call.
The telephone access module works with Honeywell’s Model No. T8635L programmable thermostat.
Weather stripping
I also ran across energy saving tips that college students with limited incomes might consider. Those include such simple ideas as making sure storm windows are shut and buying some caulk or weather stripping to close cracks around doors and window frames.
You also should change your furnace filter monthly.
Another idea is to make sure the damper vent in your fireplace is shut when it’s not in use so you don’t lose heat up the chimney.
Also, you can turn down the temperature on your hot water heater to 120 degrees and buy an insulating blanket to wrap around your water heater.
Another hot idea
“I can’t believe you’re wearing flip-flops,” I said, looking down at Katy’s bare feet as we walked downtown for lunch. The temperature had dropped to the high 40s. “Should we go buy you some socks?”
“Dad, I have shoes,” she said, laughing.
The colder weather reminded me about our recent discussion about heating costs. I asked if she and her roommates had thought about how to pay for high heating bills.
“Oh, I already took care of that,” she said.
They had called the utility company and set up a new way to take the sting out of high winter heating bills.
“I got on the even payment plan,” she said.
She explained she could pay the same amount each month, year-round, so her gas bill wouldn’t be so painful.
“It’s really pretty cool.”