True
or False?
Programmable thermostats do not
save energy.
False. Programmable
thermostats enable you to change the temperature when a building
is unoccupied.
In the winter, turning down
the thermostat during unoccupied or inactive periods will result
in less energy consumption. The same goes for turning up the
temperature during the summer. Many people think otherwise.
Heating
a cold building uses less energy than maintaining a warm temperature.
A rule of thumb is a 1% reduction in your heating/cooling bill
for each degree you turn down/up a thermostat for eight hours.
If your building has a simple HVAC system and is unoccupied
nights and weekends, turning the thermostat down 8°F will
reduce heating costs by about 16%. This does not apply to complex
systems which involve simultaneous use of heating and cooling.
Source: Smart
Energy Design Assistance Center
