Programmable Thermostat

What is a Programmable Thermostat?

By Anne Fonda

A programmable thermostat is a central control panel for your heating and cooling system. It allows you to program the temperature of your home to fit your lifestyle and save energy. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), you can save up to 10% on your heating and cooling bills by setting the temperature 7°-10°F above or below its normal setting when you’re away from home.  

Benefits of programmable thermostats 

Programmable thermostats offer many benefits for homeowners:  

• Improved comfort: Programmable thermostats allow you to set temperatures for specific times so that your home is always at a comfortable level, without adjusting it manually.  
• Lower energy bills: By setting back or raising the temperature during certain times of the day, programmable thermostats can help reduce energy costs by up to 10%. 
• Maintenance reminders: Many programmable thermostats will also display a notification when it’s time to change the filter or schedule maintenance.  

Tips for choosing a standard programmable thermostat  

When selecting a programmable thermostat for your home, there are several factors to consider:  

• Compatibility: Make sure that the programmable thermostat is compatible with your existing heating and cooling system. For example, not all thermostats are compatible with heat pump systems. 
• Features: Look for features like a large touchscreen display or large buttons,  scheduling options that will suit your lifestyle, filter change reminders, and real-time clock changes to save you the hassle of Daylight Savings Time changes.  
• Installation: Self-installation of your programmable thermostat is not recommended unless you already have basic electrical knowledge.  

Programmable thermostat vs smart thermostat 

If you need to replace your old thermostat or you’re getting a new HVAC system, consider upgrading to a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat, at its heart, is a programmable thermostat, but it has so much more to offer. 

Smart thermostats connect to your home’s Wi-Fi system, which is why they are also known as Wi-Fi thermostats. By connecting to the internet, you can control your Trane smart thermostat from anywhere, at any time, with the Trane Home App.  

This means if you’re on your way to the airport and you forgot to adjust the thermostat higher or lower, you can do it from your smartphone. Or, if you have a vacation home or rental property, you can adjust the temperature before you or your guests arrive.  

If you’re home and want to raise or lower the temperature without getting off the couch or leaving your guests, you can use the app or your voice assistant, such as Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home. 

Lastly, with a Trane smart thermostat, you can give your local dealer remote monitoring capabilities, enabling them to spot a small performance issue before it becomes a big problem. This can save both you and your HVAC company time and money. 

Consult with your local Trane HVAC pro to determine the right thermostat for your home. 

Anne Fonda, Content Writer

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A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need.

She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.

When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.

Expert review by Caitlin Butler, Product Manager, Thermostats and Home App