Programmable Thermostat

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You can definitely save on energy costs by heating or cooling your house less than you normally do. But using your thermostat judiciously can also help. A programmable thermostat can help you trim your utility bills by adjusting your home’s temperature to your exact needs throughout the day. For example, you can have the heat increase again just before you wake, cut back while you’re out during the day, increase again just before you return home then cut back at bed time. Most thermostats can be programmed for up to seven days. Electronic models with digital readouts are generally more efficient and versatile than mechanical ones. Make sure the unit is compatible with your heating and cooling system.

Use fans to cool. Don’t underestimate the cooling power of fans especially on warm, dry days when the house is stuffy. Even several fans running at once use only a fraction of the power consumed by a central air conditioning system. Use inexpensive box fans to circulate air throughout your house. For best results, note the direction of the prevailing winds and position the fans in windows, one blowing in and one blowing out, to assist wind. Similarly, a ceiling fan placed over your bed can keep you comfortable at night by continously circulating air. A whole-house fan will keep air moving throughout the house, pulling in cooler air from below and exhausting hot air above.