Do you want to reduce your energy bill? Or maybe you want to increase how comfortable you feel at home. In both cases, knowing how to set a thermostat goes a long way.
Cooper’s Plumbing & Air associates are industry leaders and experts in HVAC in Tallahassee, FL, and nearby areas. We have some general instructions for thermostat programming that should work for most systems. For more specific questions, call us anytime!
Which Type Do You Have?
Your thermostat will usually be one of three types:
- Manual: Manual thermostats require you to adjust them whenever you want to change temperatures indoors. While easy to use, you cannot program them.
- Programmable: These have additional options for setting temperatures. You can program your thermostat to adjust home heating settings for specific times and days of the week.
- Smart: This advanced version has the same benefits as a programmable version for adjusting thermostat temperature. It often adds remote adjustments through a smartphone app and may also learn your usual temperature settings.
Manual versions are the easiest to use but least adjustable when learning how to set a thermostat. Programmable versions can accommodate most energy-saving thermostat tips without feeling intrusive. Those wanting the most convenience would benefit from a smart thermostat.
The Main Buttons or Settings
Most central thermostats have similar buttons or symbols to represent different actions:
System
This category represents the various abilities of your central HVAC system. Whether manual, programmable, or smart, it may have options for Heat, Cool, and Off. These allow you to immediately adjust which system you want to use at the moment, or if you want to turn the units off.
Fan
The fan category refers to the blower fans circulating air through your property. In most cases, it will have Auto and On options.
Auto means the fan will only turn on if the temperature drops below or rises above your set temperature depending on the system setting. You can also turn the fan On to keep the system running even after reaching your desired thermostat settings.
Up/Down
The last buttons on a manual system may be Up and Down. These increase or decrease the desired temperature. You might also use them to look at other thermostat options on programmable and smart thermostats.
Set
Knowing how to set your thermostat starts with the Set button or setting. A manual thermostat installation guide may say Set confirms your desired temperature. On programmable and smart thermostats, you may use Set while programming it for the weekday, weekend, etc.
Hold and Run
The Hold setting usually causes your programmable or smart system to function like a manual one. For example, you come home at an unusual time and it’s not warm enough because of your usual temperature settings. After you press Hold, you can change the temperature for the time being without disrupting your programmed settings.
Once you’re ready to return to your usual programming, you can press or select Run.
How to Set a Thermostat for Daily Use
First, record your habits to set your home thermostat options for optimal comfort:
- Which days do you work?
- What time of day are you at home?
- What time of day are you away?
- When do you anticipate leaving your home?
- When do you anticipate being on your way home?
With these times and dates in mind, you can start programming your thermostat. After you input the current date and time – sometimes the day, too, though not usually – you can find “Set Home Thermostat” or a similar section.
Under this section, you can set the days of the week and times you expect to be home. Then, you can input the temperatures you want. If you want to arrive home to your desired temperature, set your home period to start 30 minutes or so before you usually get home.
The Best Settings for The Seasons
The key to setting the best temperature for your comfort and wallet is to start at the extremes. Your system won’t turn on the heat or the cooling if your temperature is above or below what you set.
It may sound counterproductive, but in winter, you should set your thermostat around 66 degrees Fahrenheit. If you’re too cold, you can increase it degree by degree until you are comfortable. The same goes for summer, but you start it at 76 degrees and lower it degree by degree.
Doing it this way keeps your home within healthy temperature limits while working your HVAC units as little as possible.
Combating Indoor Temperature Differences with Thermostat Settings
A common problem in larger or older homes is that certain rooms may feel warmer or cooler than the thermostat says.
Older homes in Florida use different materials that retain more radiant heat from the outdoors. If the HVAC system isn’t working properly, these homes can become uncomfortably hot or even dangerous.
Meanwhile, larger homes may have rooms vulnerable to radiant outdoor conditions or less affected by the HVAC system. For example, an upstairs room with a large window that’s further from the thermostat may:
- Become colder due to window exposure and the system’s cooling settings
- Collect rising heat from downstairs areas
Potential Fixes
One potentially quick fix is to set your fan to On. While it keeps your system running, it can improve indoor airflow and temperature consistency.
However, this uses more energy, which increases your bill, so we only suggest it to temporarily combat immediate discomfort.
Programmable and smart thermostats may also use sensors you can place in other parts of the house. The sensors give thermostats more information on indoor temperature and humidity. You can view this information while altering thermostat settings or the smart system can use it to adjust temperatures.
Get More Temperature Control Tips From Our Experts
Our general guide on how to set a thermostat may not cover your specific needs. Cooper’s Plumbing & Air is open 24/7 for HVAC emergencies and appointment scheduling. Call us today at 229-246-2539 for furnace maintenance, air conditioner repairs and replacements, customized temperature control tips, and more!