Yes, programmable thermostats can save you money — provided you use them properly. They work by automatically adjusting your home’s HVAC settings to avoid unnecessary heating and cooling costs. For example, they can prevent your system from running at full capacity when nobody’s home, which directly reduces energy usage and lowers monthly bills over time.
Reducing unnecessary workload on your HVAC also means fewer repair calls down the road. In this article, an HVAC expert explains how to program your thermostat correctly, avoid common mistakes, and keep HVAC expenses low.
How Programmable Thermostats Save You Money
The savings come from the programmable thermostat’s ability to adjust temperatures based on your schedule automatically.
Philip Crutchfield, franchise owner at Varsity Zone HVAC of Southwest Florida, explains that they “can definitely help homeowners save money on energy bills,” but stresses the importance of setting it up correctly; your HVAC system shouldn’t run pointlessly when you aren’t even home.
For example, during winter, you can program it to lower the temperature while you’re at work and raise it shortly before you return home. This prevents your heating system from working hard to maintain a comfortable temperature in an empty house.
| Good To Know: According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling by properly setting and using a programmable thermostat. These savings add up significantly over time, especially in regions with extreme temperatures. |
Maximize Your Programmable Thermostat Savings
One common myth is that programmable thermostats automatically save money. HVAC expert Philip Crutchfield debunked this misconception in our article “7 Common Myths About Thermostats Debunked,” explaining that these devices alone don’t boost a system’s efficiency.
It’s all in how effectively you set and use it.
A Berkeley National Laboratory study highlights that nearly 50% of programmable thermostats remain on permanent “hold” settings, meaning they provide zero added benefit over regular manual thermostats. Don’t be part of that half.
Here’s how to actually use yours to save some money:
1. Pick the Right Programmable Thermostat
Not all thermostats work the same way. Basic programmable models let you set a daily or weekly schedule, while smart thermostats learn your habits and adjust automatically.
If your routine changes often, like working late some days, Crutchfield points out that a smart thermostat saves you more money. These models connect to your phone, so you can tweak settings even if you’re not home.
| *Note: Energy.gov warns that standard programmable thermostats aren’t efficient for heat pumps, electric resistance systems, steam heating, or radiant floor heating. These setups need specially designed thermostats to handle slower response times and unique operation cycles. |
Check compatibility before you buy your programmable thermostat.
2. Set a Realistic Schedule
The biggest mistake people make? Setting a schedule that doesn’t match their routine. If you program the thermostat to warm the house at 5 p.m. but usually get home at 6, you’re wasting energy.
Philip Crutchfield warns against “forgetting to match the schedule to your real-life routine, like not heating the house before you get home.”
Start by writing down your weekly schedule: when you wake up, leave for work, come home, and go to bed. Most thermostats let you set different temperatures for each part of the day.
| Heating Season (Winter) | Cooling Season (Summer) | |
| When Not Home | Set 7 to 10°F lower than daytime temp (For instance, 55 to 65°F) | Set 7 to 10°F higher than daytime temp (for instance, 80 to 85°F) |
| When Asleep | Set 7 to 10°F lower than daytime temp (for instance, 60 to 65°F) | Set 4 to 7°F higher than daytime temp (for instance, 78 to 82°F) |
3. Don’t Override the Schedule Too Often
Manually cranking the thermostat to extremes won’t heat or cool your home faster; it just wastes energy.
Crutchfield explains that setting the thermostat from 70 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit forces your system to work overtime, which can cancel out savings. Aim for 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit differences instead.
| My Tip: If you’re constantly overriding settings, consider a smart thermostat. They learn your adjustments and refine the schedule over time, reducing the need for manual changes. |
4. Adjust for Seasons and Schedule Changes
Another easy-to-miss step: adjusting thermostat settings as seasons or routines shift. Crutchfield notes that homeowners often leave old schedules running, even if their daily habits clearly change, causing wasted energy without them realizing it.
Remember to revisit your thermostat schedule every few months to reflect new timing patterns accurately.
Aside from big, obvious shifts (like winter versus summer), regularly fine-tune the schedule based on smaller variations too: shorter weekend trips, vacations away, or holidays spent at home.
5. Use the “Auto” Setting, Not “On”
People frequently leave their thermostats set to the “On” setting, meaning your HVAC fan runs constantly, even when not heating or cooling. But that’s draining money for no reason.
Choose “Auto” instead; the fan kicks in only as needed, cutting energy use and saving you on those monthly bills while also extending your system’s lifespan by reducing unnecessary wear and tear.
6. If You’re Home All Day, Still Optimize
Staying home doesn’t mean giving up thermostat savings entirely. Crutchfield reminds people who are home most of the day, like retirees or remote workers, to fine-tune settings carefully:
“I recommend setting it to lower the temperature (or raise it in the summer) when you’re sleeping or in rooms that you aren’t using much, so you’re not wasting energy. Even a slight change in temperature during those periods can make a difference over time. “
7. Maintain Your Thermostat and HVAC System
A programmable thermostat can’t save money if your HVAC system is struggling. Crutchfield recommends:
“Change your air filters regularly—usually every 1 to 3 months, depending on your home and system. A clogged filter restricts airflow and forces your system to work harder, which cancels out a lot of the efficiency gains your thermostat is supposed to bring.”
Additional maintenance tips include:
- Check the thermostat’s batteries every six months if it uses them.
- Dust the thermostat gently with a soft brush to prevent inaccurate readings.
- Ensure it’s not in direct sunlight or near heat sources that could cause false readings.
- Verify the thermostat is level; an unlevel thermostat may not read temperatures correctly.
Have your HVAC system professionally serviced annually to ensure it’s operating at peak efficiency.
Programmable Thermostat Savings Depend on You
Basic programmable thermostats won’t instantly slash energy bills—they rely entirely on how well you set and regularly manage them. Dial in realistic temp changes closely matching your weekly schedule, keep adjustments moderate, and stay consistent with HVAC upkeep.
HVAC expert Philip Crutchfield suggests choosing a thermostat model that lets you “set different schedules for each day of the week,” instead of an inflexible single-week setting, because this “gives you more flexibility” as your daily routines inevitably change.
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Read More: 7 Common Myths About Thermostats Debunked
Main Photo Credit: oasisamuel / Adobe Stock
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