The Digital Thermostat

Here's an "Email Question" I received regarding a "Digital Thermostat".

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I put a digital thermostat on my oil furnace. Just moved in so don't have a lot of history. I'm curious what the temperature range should be for on/off cycles? It seems like it only takes the temp up 1 or 2 degrees above the setting and then is kicking on more often?

It's an Arco Air 85000 btu about 20 years old. Recently serviced and tuned.

Just curious if this is normal or if I need attention?

Thanks for your great website!

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First off, it is normal for a furnace to kick on around 1 to 2 degrees below your temperature setting, and to kick off 1 to 2 degrees above your temperature setting. But here are a few things you can check.


Most thermostats won’t work correctly if they are not installed level. You will need a small level. Put the level on top of the thermostat to make sure it is level. If it is not, loosen the mounting screws and adjust the thermostat so it is level. If you have to make a significant correction to the position of the thermostat you might have solved the problem. Check over the next few hours to see if the furnace is working normally.

Other than this, most digital thermostats are pre-set at the factory and have no way to adjust furnace cycling like the old mercury thermostats.

You may want to check the location of your thermostat as this can affect its performance and efficiency. Poor location of your thermostat can cause "ghost readings" which will cause unnecessary furnace cycling. Place thermostats away from direct sunlight, drafts, doorways, skylights, and windows.

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Installing a new Thermostat is one thing that you can do to help offset some of those high heating costs. If you still have the old rotary dial, mercury thermostat, it's time to change over to the modern digital thermostat. Digital Thermostats with the LED Display will help you to more accurately set your heat settings than the old rotary models. They're easy to install and all settings are preset at the factory. In other words, install it and your ready to go. All you have to do is set it to temperature you desire. It couldn't get any simpler.

According to statistics, the average household spends more than $1,200 a year on energy bills - for heating and cooling. Homeowners can save a considerable amount of this money by simply making a few adjustments.

You can easily save money in the winter by setting the thermostat to around 68 degrees when you're at home and awake, and lowering it when you're asleep or away. This can be an even more effective strategy than you may think. You just have to be willing to adjust the thermostat by hand and wake up in a chilly house.

Despite what most people think, It doesn't take any more energy or cause your furnace to work harder than normal to warm the space back to a comfortable temperature. Even though your furnace may have to run a bit longer to reach your desired temperature, the energy you saved by turning your thermostat down for that 8 hour period you were asleep or away is more than what you will spend as your house warms back up. Overall, the longer your house remains at the lower temperature, the more energy and money you save.

If constantly adjusting your thermostat is not something you want to do, you can always invest in a Programmable Thermostat. A programmable thermostat allows you to program in a time setting and a temperature setting that you prefer at different times of the day. For example, if you know you leave for work at 7:00 AM and you get home at 4:00 PM, program your thermostat to go to 62 degrees at 7:00 and go back to 69 degrees at 3:30. You can do the same for overnight when you are sleeping. Once you program these settings they will stay the same until you change them.