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Old 12-09-2009, 10:27 PM   #18 (permalink)
Tygen1
Master EcoModder
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: South Jersey
Posts: 553

Little Blue - '98 Ford Escort ZX2 Cool
Team ZX2
90 day: 44.75 mpg (US)

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Ok, I did a bunch more reading and found that the general concensus is that a 4 degree swing setting is the most ideal for saving money. I finally found a RiteTemp 6030 at HomeDepot that has a adjustable swing setting up to 5 degrees. So I bought it and installed it. Target temp is 70, so it will kick in at 68 and off at 72 (yes I know lower temps are more ideal for savings, but the infant that needs to be snuggly warm says otherwise
Seems most T-stats don't have swing adjustments these days because people prefer the comfort of a 1 degree swing, so it's just hard wired into even the most fancy thermostats. It seems the energy star logo doesn't even gaurentee a wide swing, it's more about droping the temps during the day and night.
So I need a way to evaluate whether this change is working. I figure I can put a Kill-a-watt type meter on my boiler and determine how much power (run time) it does per day (recording outside temps) to compare both settings. Does this make sence?
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