3 blunders you're making with your Thermostat

A Programmable Thermostat is a wonderful choice when it comes to improving the indoor comfort level and controlling the utility bills. But a large number of homeowners fail to enjoy the expected benefits as a result of not using the Thermostat the right way. Below we discuss those 3 blunders which you and many other homeowners are making.

Set right to get the right comfort

Setting the Thermostat in a wrong setting and expecting it to provide you with comfort is one major mistake homeowners make. True that a programmable thermostat is an advanced version however, it still follows however you direct it. Homeowners either keep the temperature constant on the Thermostat which results in overheated indoor or keep tweaking the temperature as the temperature difference is felt in different parts of the home.

The ideal way to resolve this is to know what temperature is generally the ideal for which parts. 70 degrees is perfect for living rooms, rooms which are occupied like bedrooms should be given 64-68 degrees. This is directly not possible without having a zoning system installed however there is a tip to maintain these desirable temperatures and that is by setting the radiator valves differently. Begin by setting the radiator in the living room at a comfortable level let's say four. Then use this as a measure and set the valve in the rest of the rooms one level lower; in this case, at three.

Lastly, make sure to set the valve in unused rooms at the lowest level.
This ensures that all places in the indoor remain comfortable, no energy is wasted and that the utility bills remain in control.

Wrong location of Thermostat

And here comes another most common blunder which is installing the Thermostat either in a very cold or in a very warm room. And as the Thermostat senses the air to reach the desired temperature, the wrong signals are given to it when the placement is wrong. A true reflection of the indoor temperature becomes impossible as a result. The most suitable location to have the most accurate temperature is to install it on the interior walls. The height from the floor should be around 5 to 6 feet. Also, please note to never install the thermostat where direct sunlight has a reach.

Not reading the user manual in case of issues

Homeowners, as mentioned above, upgrade to Programmable Thermostats but still fail to achieve the desired results. One prime reason is that they do not fully explore the features. Although the HVAC technician explains the use, most people tend to use the HVAC accessories on the simplest possible settings. As a result, what could have been enjoyed is simply lost.

In addition, when heating/cooling issues arise, the manual is still not consulted and later on, after paying a few hundred dollars to a repair tech, it is revealed that the problem had arisen only as a result of a wrong setting, battery failure or Thermostat wiring.

Bottom Line

If you have recently upgraded to a Programmable Thermostat and feel that it wasn't worth buying, look out for these blunders. And bet that you must already be making these.

Smart tactics when negotiating with an HVAC dealer

Home comfort heating and cooling appliances are big investments that people make. A hefty amount is spent on the purchase and it is the wish of every homeowner to end up choosing the best possible brand and model and that too within the range their budget can afford. But since common homeowners have little to no knowledge about brands and models, it is the dealer on whose suggestions they have to depend. The most common request made by homeowners to the dealers is to show them a model with good efficiency and low price. There are many factors why a dealer would not suggest you, one such model, even if there is one. One prime reason is if he is a dealer of a particular brand, he won't recommend another brand even if that fulfills the requirements. Another reason is, selling a particular model may be causing more profit than selling the other. 

In this case, what is the best way homeowners can make the best deals and negotiate the smart way with the tactful dealers? We bring to you some suggestions;

Get some know-how about the local pricing

The area you are living in has multiple dealers and estimate experts. Before going straight into the head of a dealer to purchase a unit, it is recommended to get some know-how about the price range in which the unit you are most expectedly purchasing, are being sold. This gives an impression to the dealer that you have your homework done and he, as a result, is careful in giving you an overly charged estimate.

Explain your need and budget

You must explain your need and budget. When that is done, for example, if your need is to have a unit with the least noise, a dealer can't try to sell you a noisy unit. With your budget explained, he also understands that with this budget and this specification, he can't sell you another unit. As a result not only that you get a suitable unit but also a price cut.

Offer a free advertisement

All businesses know that it is better to have several good customers who pay average than to have just one who pays good but comes once a year. Another simple tactic to get a cut in the price from a dealer is to tell him that his company will be recommended to friends and family or that you will make certain referrals. Sometimes, low sales make this a great statement to convince dealers as they are already actively looking for more customers.

Offer a quick payment option

Offer a payment method that is most suitable for the dealer is another way to make a convincing hit to win the deal and have a cut made in the quote. Cash payment or quick credit card payment can be used to ensure the dealer instant payments. People who request for installments and then request for a cut in price hardly get it. A one-time instant payment, however, does quite a good job.

So the next time you negotiate with a dealer, don't forget;

- To get know-how about market pricing and get some free estimates
- To explain your budget and the need for a specific unit
and
- To make the dealer offers of recommendations and instant payments 

With these tactics followed, a cut in the price is guaranteed.