Setback Thermostats

Convenience and comfort

Have you ever forgotten to turn down the thermostat before leaving your business? If so, you can appreciate the convenience of having this task done automatically.

A setback or programmable thermostat automatically raises or lowers building set-point temperatures at preselected times. During the heating season, the temperature is lowered for unoccupied times such as evenings or weekends. The thermostat brings the building back to a comfortable temperature before anyone arrives the following workday. During the summer, the set-point temperature is raised for unoccupied times and lowered for working hours.

Automatic savings

By automatically adjusting your building's temperatures, a setback thermostat can save an average of 5% off your annual heating and cooling bills. The cost of a setback thermostat may be recovered in energy savings in just one year. You could achieve the same savings by adjusting your thermostat manually, but a programmable thermostat does it automatically everyday. And everyone can arrive to a comfortable building in the morning and leave without worrying about wasting energy while the building is unoccupied.

Look for these features

Many different models of setback thermostats are available, but all use a timing device and a heat sensor. The simplest type is a single-zone time clock which can control an entire building or just one area. For more flexibility, a multizone programmable thermostat can vary temperatures in different areas of a building at different times to suit the needs of the occupants.

The cost of a setback thermostat typically increases with the addition of optional features. However, you may want to consider purchasing a model that offers the following features:

  • A seven-day program that allows you to fine-tune your weekly schedule.
  • Battery backup to keep the timer on schedule in case power is interrupted.
  • An override function that lets you temporarily change the preselected program.
  • A locking device or cover to prevent unauthorized changes to the program.

Setback thermostats work best with forced-air heating and air-conditioning systems. You should consult with your contractor before installing one on infrared, heat pump or hot water heating systems.