The heating follows last year’s work routine even though someone now works from home. Repeated manual overrides are a clue that the schedule no longer describes the household.
Start with occupancy, then equipment
Write down when rooms are used across a normal week, including early starts, late returns and people who remain at home. Consider health and comfort needs before reducing heating or cooling. A schedule should serve the occupants, not make them endure unsuitable conditions to preserve a setting.
Check the thermostat and system instructions before making setbacks. US Department of Energy guidance explains scheduled and occupancy-based thermostat control. Some systems need controls designed to avoid inefficient auxiliary-heating behaviour during recovery.
Change one period and observe
Adjust a relevant time block conservatively, then note whether the room is comfortable when needed. Buildings respond at different speeds. Moving the start time may be more useful than repeatedly choosing an extreme temperature in the hope that the room will heat faster.
Check that the clock, weekday settings and temporary-hold behaviour are correct. A holiday mode left active or an incorrect time can look like an equipment fault. If you use remote controls, make sure household members understand which setting takes priority.
Compare energy use over suitable periods with weather and occupancy in mind. One colder week does not demonstrate that a new schedule failed, and one lower bill does not isolate the schedule’s effect from a tariff change.
If comfort remains poor or the system behaves unexpectedly, ask a qualified technician. A better schedule cannot repair an installation fault, but a clear record of timings and symptoms can make the service conversation more useful.