Programmable Thermostats Save Energy

Reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs by about 15 percent by installing a programmable thermostat. This is an easy do-it-yourself project, their cost ranges from $ 30 to $100.

Programmable thermostats automatically raise and lower the heat to an when you’re home, away or asleep.

Programmable thermostats will work with most gas or oil furnaces, and central air conditioners.

Here’s how to do it in 7 steps:

1. Turn off power to the heating and cooling systems at the main panel. Mark the wires with a tape and the letter that represents the terminal and unscrew them. Remove and discard the old thermostat.

If your old thermostat contains mercury, you’ll see a small glass tube with a shiny silver ball inside. Mercury is toxic. Take this type of thermostat to a hazardous waste disposal site.

2. There will be anywhere from two to five wires hooked up to the old thermostat. Label the thermostat wiring with masking tape using the letters on the old terminal screw letters as reference.

3. Use care or masking tape to prevent the thermostat wire from slipping back into the wall.

4. The thermostat may need to be configured to your heating system. Consult the instructions that come with the thermostat for system adjustments and programming. You won’t save energy if the thermostat isn’t programmed correctly.

5. Level the new mounting plate in position and mark the mounting screw holes. Drill 3/16-in. holes, insert drywall anchors and screw the plate to the wall.

Photos: rd.com