On a thermostat, the term “recovery” typically refers to a setting that enables the system to rapidly return a building’s temperature to a programmed level after a setback period. For example, during nighttime hours, a thermostat might be set to a lower temperature to conserve energy. The recovery function anticipates the end of this setback period and initiates heating (or cooling) before the scheduled time, ensuring the desired temperature is reached precisely when the building is occupied again.
The importance of this feature lies in its ability to balance energy efficiency with occupant comfort. By allowing for temperature setbacks, energy consumption is reduced during unoccupied periods. However, without a recovery function, the building might still be uncomfortably cold (or hot) when occupancy resumes. This technology ensures prompt restoration of comfortable conditions, enhancing user satisfaction and optimizing energy use. Early iterations of programmable thermostats lacked such sophisticated algorithms, often leading to either energy waste or discomfort. Modern systems leverage predictive algorithms to more accurately determine the optimal start time for the recovery process.
