With Programmable Thermostats


Probably the easiest upgrade for most homeowners is to replace conventional thermostats with programmable units. Installation may be a do-it-yourself job for some homeowners and some types of systems, or a low-cost professional installation for others. The U.S. EPA estimates that a homeowner can save some $180 a year with a programmable thermostat that's used correctly. Those savings are more than adequate to pay for the cost of the thermostat and most installations in just a year or so.


 



A programmable thermostat is simply one you can set in advance—program—to turn the heat/air conditioning up or down automatically at different times of day and different days of the week. Doing so you will use less energy, reduce your home's green house gas emissions and save on your heating/cooling bills without sacrificing any of your family's comfort.		 Typically homeowners program their thermostats to:
  • Lower the temperature when they leave for work in the morning.
  • Raise the temperature when they come home from work
  • Lower it again at bedtime
  • Raise it at their normal waking hour
  • Conform to different patterns during the week and on weekends, when family members are more likely to be home during the day.
  • Change heating/cooling activity in different seasons of the year.