While they can appear deceptively simple, business owners know all too well that thermostats can be the cause of headaches, confusion, and management challenges. Thermostats are a crucial component of your HVAC system that while seeming like a small part, can make a big impact on your business’ spending and energy usage. Many of our customers deal with thermostat-related questions like how to set their HVAC system during unoccupied hours, or which type of thermostat they should even buy in the first place.

Whether you’re considering upgrading your business’ system, or you just want to know how to decode your own settings, we’re answering the 5 most commonly-asked questions we hear from our customers—read on, because these answers just might save you $$$ on your next bill!

Why you should care about your thermostat

While it might seem like a box on the wall you push a few buttons on every now and then, in reality, your thermostat is so much more. It can be a tool for your business to prioritize sustainability, and can also make a difference of thousands of dollars – in either savings, or in costs, depending on how you manage it. 

Take the example of permanent holds. It happens often – an employee drops the temperature way down on a hot summer day, but forgets to reset it at the end of the day. Cold air is blasting through the night, even when no one is in the building, and often stays that way for days on end. This wastes energy, and can drive your bill way up.

But it’s hard to avoid issues like these when your thermostat is a mystery. Understanding what’s happening is the first step to recognizing problems, and moving towards energy efficiency.

Your 5 Most Commonly-Asked Questions About Thermostats, Answered

Setpoints? Intelligent Recovery? Your head may be swirling with HVAC-related jargon, but don’t worry – we’re here to help. We polled our team about the most common thermostat-related questions they get from customers, and are sharing the answers here. 

What is a temperature setpoint, and how should I set mine?

Setpoints are the temperatures at which a thermostat is programmed to maintain the indoor comfort. They typically consist of two values: 

• Heating Setpoint: The temperature at which the thermostat will activate the heating system to warm the space
• Cooling Setpoint: The temperature at which the thermostat will activate the cooling system to cool the space.

So if you set your thermostat to 75°F for cooling, the thermostat will turn on your HVAC when it detects that your space is not at the desired temperature, and work to cool the space until it reaches your chosen setpoint. These setpoints help regulate the indoor temperature and maintain comfort levels within a building or home. A few other settings to understand are:

MODE:

Off: System is turned off
Cool: System cools to reach target temperature
Heat: System heats to reach target temperature
Auto Mode: System automatically switches between heating and cooling to maintain target temperatures.

FAN:

Auto: Fan runs while heating or cooling
Circulate: Fan runs intermittently to circulate air
On: Fan runs continuously

How should I set my HVAC when I’m away?

Many people wonder if it's more energy-efficient to maintain a constant indoor temp rather than changing the temperature when the building isn’t occupied, in an effort to keep the HVAC system from spending too much effort changing things. Others take it in the other direction, assuming they should turn the system off completely when the facility isn’t in use. 

While it's true that your HVAC system might have a bigger diferential to make up when you return, this additional effort is more than offset by the energy savings gained when the system maintains the setback temperature while you are away. When you set your thermostat to a setback temperature during periods of inactivity or when you're not on-premises, your HVAC system has to work less to maintain that lower temperature. This results in not only significant energy savings over time, but also prevents unnecessary wear and tear which helps save money on maintenance and repairs.

We recommended using a smart thermostat to set the following Occupied vs Unoccupied setback schedules that map to your business hours. 

• Occupied Heat: 67°
• Occupied Cool: 72°
• Unoccupied Heat:  55°
• Unoccupied Cool: 82°

Keep in mind that these are general guidelines – every business is different. By working with David Energy, you’ll get a customized program that accounts for your business’ specific needs, such as hours of operation, to maximize profits, savings, and optimize energy use.

The temp in here is super uncomfortable. What’s the fastest way to fix it?

So you arrived at one of your business locations, and it is HOT in there. Contrary to popular belief, if you immediately crank the thermostat way down, hoping it will cool faster, you’ll be disappointed. 

If an AC unit can't make the space 68 degrees, putting it at 50 degrees isn't going to do anything except tax your system. This is where we might issue one of our clients a "System Performance" flag. If you're trying to meet setpoints and not getting there efficiently, your HVAC system could be overtaxed. These issues are usually due to needing maintenance or an undersized system – or having setpoints that aren’t realistic.

The best way to remedy an uncomfortable temperature is simply to set the temp where you want it, and let your system get there as quickly as it can. Try to give it the best chances to work efficiently by closing windows and doors and avoiding producing extra heat while it cools. 

What is intelligent recovery, and how does it work?

Thermostat Intelligent Recovery, also known as Smart Recovery or Adaptive Recovery, is a feature found in many programmable and smart thermostats. It's designed to optimize energy efficiency while ensuring that your space reaches your desired temperature at the right time. It works by learning how your unique heating and cooling system works, and using that information to create a predictive algorithm to decide when to start heating or cooling your space to reach a desired temperature at a certain time. 

For example, if you want your space to be 72°F (22°C) by 7:00 AM, the thermostat calculates when to start the heating or cooling process, taking into account factors like outdoor temperature trends and the thermal characteristics of your space. By starting the heating or cooling process gradually before the scheduled time, Intelligent Recovery ensures that your system reaches the desired temperature precisely when you need it, without wasting energy by running the system at during unoccupied hours.

Does the type of thermostat I’m using really matter?

If you haven’t given much thought to the type of thermostat you’re using in the past, it may come as a surprise that not all are created equal. Smart thermostats, especially those that are Energy Star certified, are our recommended way to go for better control over your system that will result in savings on money and energy usage. 

Many of our customers use thermostats from Ecobee and Honeywell. The Honeywell T6 Pro Series and Vision Pro 8000 are particularly popular for their convenient interface. The thermostat you use also has a significant impact on your HVAC system’s performance – and HVAC is a costly system that you want to keep running in tip-top shape, as a replacement can run you well into the six-figure range. Smart and programmable thermostats learn your preferences, set schedules for you to maximize savings, and can be controlled remotely by an operational partner like David Energy. 

When we onboard new businesses to David Energy, we always start with a review of what's onsite now to recommend what should be in place to run most efficiently.

How to set yourself up for thermostat success

Five tips to remember for optimizing your thermostat usage:

1. Install smart thermostats compatible with your system.

2. Set up the thermostat’s app for remote access. Or, try a multi-unit remote thermostat management software like David Energy’s, so you can see all of your thermostats and their settings in one place!

3. Assign schedules based on business hours. Make adjustments for specific times when you need the space warmer or cooler.

4. Establish SOPs and restrictions, as needed, to prevent onsite changes (and anyone having to play “thermostat police”).

5. Observe & adjust as needed, based on your energy bill, and operation reports from the experts. 

Stop worrying about your thermostat and have an expert do it for you

Now that you’re a thermostat pro, you’re ready to streamline your ops, keep your space comfortable, and get more energy efficiency out of your system. But if you don’t want to do it all yourself, David Energy is here to handle electricity optimization for you.

Our remote thermostat management software combines with expert consultation, to take the headaches out of electricity for you. Get custom scheduling recommendations, ultra-convenient automation and management options, and expert support all along the way to decode, optimize, and set you up for thermostat success. Book a free demo to see how it can work for you!

‍