The thermostat may seem like a simple device—at least, the old manual thermostats that use dials and sliders may. You want more heat during the cold weather? Turn the thermostat up higher, and there’s your extra heat. When it gets too hot or too stuffy, turn the thermostat back down. Pretty basic.
But it isn’t, and adjusting your thermostat with this up-and-down pattern based on how warm your house currently feels can waste energy without providing better comfort. It can even shorten the service life of your heating system because of the extra strain put on it.
