My light switch thermostat

If there is going to be a focus of this bit of internet clutter, I think it will be on doing little energy experiments and posting my amateur findings. The first experiment or project I'm curious about is the issue of thermostat (t-stat) setbacks. Weatherization tends to gives lots of credit to the energy saving capabilities of programmable thermostats. Generally speaking, not using energy in the first place saves more energy than using energy more efficiently. And setting the the t-stat back doesn't cost anything (compared to the cost of adding insulation or installing a more efficient furnace).

The problem I have is the same thing that Energy Star had several years ago. Many weatherization (wx) clients don't use the programmability of a programmable t-stat. There are many obstacles preventing a complicated programmable t-stat from being used to the fullest.

• Many elderly Wx clients find the programmable t-stats "too complicated" and would rather have the old round one. Keep it simple.
• Fewer people have routine schedules that fit into a regular program. Many programmable t-stats have a 5-2 configuration with separate programs for week days and weekends. That is fine if you happen to work a typical 9-5 work week with weekends off. But if you're working a service sector job or have a random work schedule, there is no point in programming anything in.
• And there is the path of least resistance. It is just easier to keep the t-stat set the same all the time. The house is warm when you want it warm.

I was turned onto this non-programmable t-stat from one of the heating trainers at work. Being non-programmable, there is no clock to set or times to worry about. What it does have is a nifty little button with a dollar sign. I think that button is the sweet spot between a plain, non-programmable t-stat and the sophisticated programmable t-stats.

I think it is fantastic because it works with odd schedules. Basically, it turns the t-stat into a modified light switch for the furnace. When talking to wx clients, an easy energy saving tip to stress is turning lights off when not in the room. With this t-stat, the same principle applies. About the leave for work at some odd time? Press the setback button (turn off the switch). Back home? Press the button again & the t-stat temperature rises back.

I've been using it for over a year now so there is plenty of data to look at what a 6 degree setback looks like. Next will be some posts describing the house as it was when Crista and I moved in, what changes we made to bring the house to its current configuration. And by then some time will have passed to see what different set back settings do to the energy consumption.