Every degree counts when it comes to comfort—and your home energy bill. That’s why more Moline, IL, homeowners rely on smart thermostats to take control of their home comfort. These devices do more than make it easier to control your HVAC—they use advanced temperature scheduling and connectivity to sync with your daily routines.

By using these smart thermostat programming tips from the experts at Freed Heating & Air Conditioning, you can keep your space cozy while minimizing unnecessary energy use. Whether you're looking to cut back on utility bills or enjoy a more efficient home, smart home climate control is the best move. In this blog, we’ll break down simple smart thermostat strategies. With this smart thermostat programming guide, you can make your HVAC system work smarter—not harder.

1. Change the Temperature According to Your Daily Routine

Use your smart thermostat settings to change the temperature according to your daily routine—cooler when you're away, warmer when you're home and just right for sleeping. By automatically changing adjusting the temperature when no one’s home, these schedules eliminate unnecessary heating or cooling. Some smart thermostats have the capability to adapt to your lifestyle and fine-tune the thermostat settings automatically.

Utilizing smart thermostat settings to change temperatures based on your daily activities gives you comfort on your terms without wasting energy—all while saving money. Plus, it’s simple: you don’t have to remember to adjust settings.

2. Customize Thermostat Settings for Each Season

One of the energy-saving thermostat tips from the team at Freed Heating & Air Conditioning is to use your smart thermostat to change your home’s temperature according to the season. For example, during winter, experts say the ideal temperature for home energy efficiency is 68 degrees in the day and a bit colder at night. This approach can lower heating bills by as much as 10% each year. That’s different from the ideal cost-saving temperature during warmer months, which is approximately 78 degrees. By modifying your temperature settings based on the seasons, you reduce unnecessary power usage and still enjoy a pleasant home.

3. Use Away or Eco Modes When You're Out

Smart or programmable thermostat schedules also lets you use special modes—such as Away and Eco—when you're not home. Away Mode reduces the temperature while you're out. Eco Mode also minimizes the temperature and is ideal for longer absences, like vacations. These two modes help you conserve energy when you’re not home to experience the heating or cooling, but still ensure your HVAC system still runs to prevent dangerously high or low temperatures.

4. Take Advantage Zoning Features

Some homes have stubbornly hot or cold rooms. A common example is a a second floor that’s always hotter than the ground level. Installing an HVAC zoning system divides the home into sections, allowing you to adjust temperatures in different parts or levels of your home. Smart thermostats allow you to set and adjust temperatures by zone, so you can always maintain your favorite temperature.

5. Monitor and Fine-Tune for Maximum Savings

One of the perks of smart thermostats is they have the capability to work with connected HVAC systems. Beyond simply controlling your HVAC system, the WiFi or Bluetooth connection lets your smart thermostat receive real-time data from the system itself. This means your smart thermostat can monitor performance, tell you when you need AC or furnace repair and can even automatically contact your local HVAC company when it's time for HVAC maintenance or repair.

This lets get prompt furnace or air conditioning repair as soon as your system starts to malfunction. Without this feature, a failing heating and cooling system could deteriorate further and lose efficiency before you even notice—until the damage is done and your energy bills increase sharply.

Struggling to Set Your Thermostat? Freed Heating & Air Conditioning Can Help

Smart thermostats have many perks for your comfort and home energy efficiency. At Freed Heating & Air Conditioning, we love assisting homeowners like you unlock the most out of smart thermostats and other smart HVAC technology. If want to really increase your comfort, we can combine a smart thermostat with furnace or air conditioning installation—helping you get the most out of your HVAC system. Or, we can demonstrate how a smart thermostat and zoned HVAC system can make your upcoming AC or furnace installation that much more eco-friendly. We're also happy to give you thermostat efficiency advice and demonstrate what these innovative tools are capable of.

The path to lowering your home heating bills with smart thermostats begins with a phone call. Schedule your appointment with Freed Heating & Air Conditioning by calling 309-865-5115 today.