Programmable thermostats are great investments that we recommend at Faught Service Company for homeowners in Austin to manage utility costs and protect the components of their heating and cooling systems. Once you program the thermostat, it powers the HVAC system according to your settings. At times, you may notice that the thermostat indicates that it is in recovery mode. Here is what you need to know about this stage of operation.
What Is Recovery Mode on My Thermostat?
Recovery mode on a programmable thermostat is a feature that works to maintain an even load on your HVAC equipment. The basic concept is that the load on the system is much smaller when gradual temperature changes are made compared to the load that is required to make drastic increases or decreases in temperature. If you have a significant temperature change in your settings, say between the setting for when you are home and when you are away, the thermostat will use the recovery mode to reach your desired indoor temperature setting.
How Does Recovery Mode Work?
The load on your heating and cooling system is greatest when you have settings in your programmable thermostat that are based on a large temperature change, such as going from 60°F when you are not at home to 78°F for when you arrive home. Rather than turning on the system at the time that you specify for the higher temperature, such as when you normally arrive home, and possibly overloading the HVAC system, your thermostat goes into recovery mode. This means that the system turns on within the hour before you arrive home and gradually increases the temperature.
Why Is Recovery Mode Important?
Overloading the HVAC system is one of the top reasons that we see most components fail prematurely in Austin homes. You may need to have several repairs performed by Faught Service Company, or your HVAC system may fail completely.
Some of the ways that overloading affects your heating and cooling system are higher operating temperatures, frozen coils, breakdown of lubricants and belts, and excessive dirt in the components. Your energy bills also increase when you drastically change the thermostat settings. Recovery mode on programmable thermostats allows you to have larger temperature differences without taxing the HVAC equipment.
How Can I Prevent My Thermostat From Going Into Recovery Mode?
Recovery mode is triggered by the settings that you use for when you are home and away. You may want to review these settings to determine if you really want such a significant change in temperature. You may want to only have about a 5-degree to 7-degree difference in each setting. Even this small difference in temperature will save you money on utility bills.
If you do need large temperature changes, check to see if your thermostat allows for more than two settings. You may be able to program intermediate temperatures so that the system gradually heats or cools your home.
Should I Turn Off Recovery Mode?
If you do not set your thermostat with large temperature differences throughout the day, you can go into the settings of the thermostat and turn off the option for recovery mode. If you do have large temperature differences, it is recommended that you leave on the setting for recovery mode.
Do All Thermostats Have Recovery Mode?
Recovery mode is only found on programmable thermostats that we offer at Faught Service Company. Not all programmable units have recovery mode, however. If you are looking for a new programmable thermostat for your Austin home, check the owner’s manual first or ask one of the technicians at Faught Service Company to see if the unit offers this option.
Faught Service Company offers residential heating and cooling services for homeowners in Austin. Our HVAC services include installation, replacements, repairs, and maintenance of heating and cooling equipment. We also offer duct cleaning services to help keep your home free of dust, bacteria, pollen, viruses, and other airborne contaminants.
We carry a full line of HVAC systems, and we can help you find the right equipment for your needs. If you have an older home, we offer energy analysis services to help you learn how to make your home more energy efficient and comfortable throughout the year. The analysis report includes areas of the home where air is escaping or outdoor air is coming in, such as the roof, windows, doors, walls, and foundation. Call us today to see how we can help you.
