Use a Programmable Thermostat

Install a programmable thermostat for your home. They don't cost much, and the money you save in one year pays for the device many times over.

With a good thermostat that you program, you can set morning, daytime and evening temperatures for both weekdays and weekends. This gives you a good deal of flexibility with respect to heating your house and letting it "coast" while you sleep or when you are away at work.

Get one and start saving.

I have a Honeywell thermostat that has worked very well for many years. It controls both heating and cooling, and allows me to circulate air with the fan alone. It also allows me to "hold" a temperature that I like, if I choose to override the programmed temperature control for a while.

When I replaced my 55% efficient furnace with a 92% efficient furnace, I took the opportunity to get a new thermostat as well. I'm glad I did. The two work well together.

Here is the latest and greatest in a Honeywell 7-Day programmable thermostat. I've never used a thermostat with a touch screen, but it can't be any more complicated than the programmable Honeywell that I have without a touch screen.

I would prefer a thermostat that allows swings in temperature of several degrees either side of the set point, but I haven't seen any that do this. It would be an energy saver strictly from the standpoint of less frequent furnace and air conditioning operation.

It's not necessary to live in an environment that has a precise temperature at all times, is it? Not according to my approach to frugal living.

A programmable thermostat will require battery power to operate, and the batteries will require changing about once every two years. That's a minor expense for the convenience of having the thermostat control temperatures throughout the week and at various times during each day.

This energy saving device is relatively inexpensive and easy to install. Usually there are only a couple of wires to hook up and a couple of screws to mount the thing to the wall.

Just be careful when mounting it and changing batteries. With printed circuits there are usually some very fine needle-like connections that insert from the main unit to the base. Be certain they are lined up before pressing them into place.

Programming a thermostat can be a bit tricky at first, but you'll get the hang of it soon enough. They come with detailed instructions and there is usually a quick setup guide printed behind the access door.

Done with Programmable Thermostat, back to Ways to Save Energy