Setback Thermostats: Research and Resource Alert
This alert reviews research and resources relevant to turning down the heat (turning up the air conditioning temperature) - either by hand or using a setback thermostat - based on a report from Toronto Public Health.
Background
For every degree the automatic thermostat lowers your heating level, you'll save two percent on your heating. This action should be promoted both to homeowners and to those who rent and pay their own heating bills. A thermostat can be manually turned down or a programmable thermostat can be used.
A programmable thermostat allows homeowners and/or renters to regulate the temperature automatically, for specific times and days of the week (e.g., they may wish to set the temperature low between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays when they are at work). The cost of a programmable thermostat varies from $40 - $140 (Home Hardware, Ottawa, Canada). The more expensive ones can also be programmed to regulate central air conditioning. A mid-range programmable thermostat with basic options (i.e., for temperature control for specific times and days) will cost between $75 and $80.
Depending on actual energy savings, a programmable thermostat can pay for itself within 1-2 years. Savings are highest during the nighttime hours. Turning a thermostat down 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours, can result in savings of 5% to 15% a year on heating bills (U.S. Department of Energy, www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/housing/thermo/thermo.htm). Older homes tend to have greater energy efficiency problems and can benefit more.
Setting Objectives
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Getting Informed
Motivators:
- Homeowners will install a programmable thermostat to save money and enhance home comfort (some people like a cooler temperature when sleeping)
- Homeowners must feel that the installing a programmable thermostat is essential to solving a negative situation (www.cbsm.com, The Implementation of Set-Back Thermostats and Social Diffusion in Twin Rivers, New Jersey).
Barriers:
- Misunderstanding. Many people believe that a furnace works harder than normal to warm the space back to a comfortable temperature after the thermostat has been set back, resulting in little or no savings (U.S. Department of Energy, www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/housing/thermo/thermo.htm).
- Forgetting to turn the thermostat down at night (Ibid). This can likely be overcome using prompts.
- Concern about increased discomfort.
- Perceived lack of skill at installing a programmable thermostat.
- Initial Cost. Some programmable thermostats may be too expensive for most lower income households (costs range from $40-$140). This could be overcome through subsidies for lower income households.
Delivering the Program
Incentives
Promising approaches illustrated by case studies on this site include:
Key program elements include:
- Partnering with municipal utility companies.
- Partnering with local suppliers of programmable thermostats (e.g., hardware stores or direct suppliers, such as Honeywell).
- Vivid communication tools placed in utility bills.
- Prompts and commitment techniques for manual temperature adjustments.
- For lower income families: Partnering with lower income support services, such as Social Services, Welfare, etc. Piggybacking on programs already in progress through municipal departments allows access to lower income families and an opportunity to educate them on energy saving initiatives.
Financing the Program
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Measuring Achievements
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Feedback
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Results
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Contacts
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Notes
Notes
- Heat pumps require specific programmable thermostats. A conventional programmable thermostat can cause the heat pump to work inefficiently and result in an increase in energy use (Automatic and Programmable Thermostats, U.S. Department of Energy, www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/housing/thermo/thermo.htm).
- Mercury thermostats are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly.
Tools:
- Natural Resources Canadas Reno$ense Project Planner Guide (http://oee.nrcan.gc.ca:80/buildings/renosense/project_planner.htm).
- Thermostats, www.floorplan.com/library/articles/thermostats.cfm.
- Go Green Renters Guide to Cost-Effective Environmentally-Friendly Living www.urbanoptions.org/pages/gogreen.htm.
- Residential Energy Efficiency Database www.its-canada.com/reed/savings/noc-heat.htm.
This alert is based on a report prepared by Cullbridge Marketing and Communications for Toronto Public Health, titled "20/20 - The Way to Clean Air: Literature Review"
