Although night-setback and temperature setpoint changes are simple enough to be done manually, an automatic control is much more efficient and reliable. Electronic, programmable thermostats, which allow you to program in desired setpoint and cutoff times for a 7-day week, are available for $50 to $200. Most models include manual override features, so an executive who needs to come in on a Sunday afternoon when the system is in setback mode can override the setback and work in comfort without having to reprogram the system. Be sure to locate the thermostat in a location where the temperature is representative of the entire area served by the system—not next to the air-conditioning diffuser or a coffee pot. Many businesses find it worthwhile to install a locking enclosure around their thermostats to avoid unauthorized tampering with the setpoints. If you have a heat pump, be sure you get a heat-pump-programmable thermostat with a “smart recovery” feature, which will bring your system on early enough to minimize the use of electric strip heating. Heat-pump thermostats cost about twice as much as other thermostats because they have to control multiple types of heating.

General Thermostat Operation
You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to 68°F (20°C) when your business is open, and lowering it when your business is closed. This strategy is effective and inexpensive if you are willing to adjust the thermostat by hand. In the summer, you can follow the same strategy with central air conditioning, too, by keeping your office warmer than normal when you are away, and lowering the thermostat setting to 78°F (26°C) only when you are at office and need cooling.

A common misconception associated with thermostats is 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. This misconception has been dispelled by years of research and numerous studies. The fuel required to reheat a building to a comfortable temperature is roughly equal to the fuel saved as the building drops to the lower temperature. You save fuel between the time that the temperature stabilizes at the lower level and the next time heat is needed. So, the longer your office remains at the lower temperature, the more energy you save.

Another misconception is that the higher you raise a thermostat, the more heat the furnace will put out, or that the office will warm up faster if the thermostat is raised higher. Furnaces put out the same amount of heat no matter how high the thermostat is set—the variable is how long it must stay on to reach the set temperature.

In the winter, significant savings can be obtained by manually or automatically reducing your thermostat's temperature setting for as little as four hours per day. These savings can be attributed to a building's heat loss in the winter, which depends greatly on the difference between the inside and outside temperatures. For example, if you set the temperature back on your thermostat for an entire night, your energy savings will be substantial. By turning your thermostat back 10° to 15° for 8 hours, you can save about 5% to 15% a year on your heating bill—a savings of as much as 1% for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long. The percentage of savings from setback is greater for buildings in milder climates than for those in more severe climates. In the summer, you can achieve similar savings by keeping the indoor temperature a bit higher when you're away than you do when you're at the office.

But there is a certain amount of inconvenience that results from manually controlling the temperature on your thermostat. This includes arriving to a cooler than normal office in the winter and possibly forgetting to adjust the thermostat (during any season) when you leave the office.

Thermostats with Automatic Temperature Adjustment
To maximize your energy savings without sacrificing comfort, you can install an automatic setback or programmable thermostat. They adjust the temperature setting for you. While you might forget to turn down the heat before you leave the office in the evening, a programmable thermostat won't! By maintaining the highest or lowest required temperatures for four or five hours a day instead of 24 hours, a programmable thermostat can pay for itself in energy saved within four years.

Programmable thermostats have features with which you may be unfamiliar. The newest generation of thermostat technologies is based on microprocessors and thermistor sensors. Most of these programmable thermostats perform one or more of the following energy control functions:

• They store and repeat multiple daily settings, which you can manually override without affecting the rest of the daily or weekly program.

• They store six or more temperature settings a day.

• They adjust heating or air conditioning turn-on times as the outside temperature changes.

Most programmable thermostats have liquid crystal temperature displays. Some have back-up battery packs that eliminate the need to reprogram the time or clock in case of a power failure. New programmable thermostats can be programmed to control heating and cooling systems as needed

Most range in price from $50 to $200, except for occupancy and light sensing thermostats, for which costs are higher.

Electromechanical (EM) thermostats, usually the easiest devices to operate, typically have manual controls such as movable tabs to set a rotary timer and sliding levers for night and day temperature settings. These thermostats work with most conventional heating and cooling systems, except heat pumps. EM controls have limited flexibility and can store only the same settings for each day, although at least one manufacturer has a model with separate settings for each day of the week. EM thermostats are best suited for offices with regular schedules.

Digital thermostats are identified by their LED or LCD digital readout and data entry pads or buttons. They offer the widest range of features and flexibility, and digital thermostats can be used with most heating and cooling systems. They provide precise temperature control, and they permit custom scheduling. Programming some models can be fairly complicated; make sure you are comfortable with the functions and operation of the thermostat you choose. Remember—you won't save energy if you don't set the controls or set them incorrectly.

Hybrid systems combine the technology of digital controls with manual slides and knobs to simplify use and maintain flexibility. Hybrid models are available for most systems, including heat pumps.

Occupancy thermostats maintain the setback temperature until someone presses a button to call for heating or cooling. They do not rely on the time of day. The ensuing preset "comfort period" lasts from 30 minutes to 12 hours, depending on how you've set the thermostat. Then, the temperature returns to the setback level. These units offer the ultimate in simplicity, but lack flexibility. Occupancy thermostats are best suited for spaces that remain unoccupied for long periods of time.

Light sensing heat thermostats rely on the lighting level preset by the owner to activate heating systems. When lighting is reduced, a photocell inside the thermostat senses unoccupied conditions and allows space temperatures to fall 10° below the occupied temperature setting. When lighting levels increase to normal, temperatures automatically adjust to comfort conditions. These units do not require batteries or programming and reset themselves after power failures. Light sensing thermostats are designed primarily for stores and offices where occupancy determines lighting requirements, and therefore heating requirements.

Choosing a Programmable Thermostat
Because programmable thermostats are a relatively new technology, you should learn as much as you can before selecting a unit. When shopping for a thermostat, bring information with you about your current unit, including the brand and model number. Also, ask these questions before buying a thermostat:

• Does the unit's clock draw its power from the heating system's low-voltage electrical control circuit instead of a battery? If so, is the clock disrupted when the furnace cycles on and off? Battery-operated back-up thermostats are preferred by many.

• Is the thermostat compatible with the electrical wiring found in your current unit?

• Are you able to install it yourself, or should you hire an electrician or a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) contractor?

• How precise is the thermostat?

• Are the programming instructions easy to understand and remember? Some thermostats have the instructions printed on the cover or inside the housing box. Otherwise, will you have to consult the instruction booklet everytime you want to change the setback times?

Most automatic and programmable thermostats completely replace existing units. These are preferred by many business owners. However, some devices can be placed over existing thermostats and are mechanically controlled to permit automatic setbacks. These units are usually powered by batteries, which eliminate the need for electrical wiring. They tend to be easy to program, and because they run on batteries, the clocks do not lose time during power outages.

Before you buy a programmable thermostat, chart your weekly habits including wake up and departure times, return office times, and the temperatures that are comfortable during those times. This will help you decide what type of thermostat will best serve your needs.

Other Considerations
The location of your thermostat can affect its performance and efficiency. Read the manufacturer's installation instructions to prevent "ghost readings" or unnecessary furnace or air conditioner cycling. Place thermostats away from direct sunlight, drafts, doorways, skylights, and windows. Also make sure your thermostat is conveniently located for programming.

Some modern heating and cooling systems require special controls. Heat pumps are the most common and usually require special setback thermostats. These thermostats typically use special algorithms to minimize the use of backup electric resistance heat systems. Electric resistance systems, such as electric baseboard heating, also require thermostats capable of directly controlling 120 volt or 240 volt line-voltage circuits. Only a few companies manufacture line-voltage setback thermostats.

A Simpler Way to Control Your Environment
The best thermostat for you will depend on your life style and comfort level in varying office temperatures. While automatic and programmable thermostats save energy, a manual unit can be equally effective if you diligently regulate its setting—and if you don't mind a chilly office on winter mornings. If you decide to choose an automatic thermostat, you can set it to raise the temperature before the office opens and spare you and your employees some discomfort. It will also perform consistently and dependably to keep your office at comfortable temperatures during the summer heat, as well.

Sources: U.S. EPA, Putting Energy Into Profits: ENERGY STAR® Small Business Guide and U.S. DOE, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network, Consumer Energy Information: EREC Reference Brief. EREC is operated by NCI Information Systems, Inc. for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory/U.S. Department of Energy. The content of this brief is based on information known to EREC at the time of preparation. No recommendation or endorsement of any non-U.S. Government product or service is implied if mentioned by EREC.