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If 10,000 Biters install programmable thermostats, in a year we'll prevent the CO2 created by 450 Americans’ overall energy use during that year.

COCKTAIL FACT

A 2004 study showed that workers were less productive and made more mistakes when office temperatures dropped from 77 to 68.

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home ›   tip library ›   Programmable Thermostats

Is your thermostat just wasting its energy?

The Bite

Time to get with the program. Install a programmable thermostat to automatically use less A/C or heat while you're at work and asleep.

The Benefits

  • Lets you breathe easy. Installing a programmable thermostat in your home will prevent about 1,800 lbs of air-polluting CO2 per year.
  • Saves about $150 per year on energy bills.
  • Mercury-free, unlike some old-school thermostats.
  • Once programmed, saving energy is lazy-proof.

Personally Speaking

Jen just installed her programmable thermostat in 30 minutes flat. (OK, confession: Jen's contractor installed it. She was busy testing other tip ideas.)

Wanna Try?

  • Hunter Set and Save 5+2 - perfect for programming 2 sets of temperatures (think: one for weekdays, one for the weekend), with sleep, wake, leave, and return periods for both types of days ($23).
  • Rite Temp 5-1-1 - 3 programmable days; one for weekdays, and one each for Saturday and Sunday ($40).
  • Honeywell - 7 programmable days, perfect if your daily schedule tends to change (say, if children are at home earlier on certain days) ($110).
  • Clairion Eco-Save 5-1-1 - allows you to set different temps for weekdays, Saturday and Sunday, and even shows how much energy you save per degree ($49).
  • DIY - a handy site that walks you through the 7 simple steps (approx. time to install = 20 mins).

May 10,2007


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All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.


Home Improvements, One Tip at a Time

So - having my own house is dreamy, with the exception of the fact that I'm not a terribly "handy" person.  However, everyone tells me that installing a programmable thermostat is easy, so I just ordered the Clairion one from today's tip.

I'll report back as to how easy-to-install it really is.  My last place had a timer like this one (4 settings a day, different settings for weekday and weekend), and I loved it, so I'm looking forward to getting this one in place.

-Heather... off to read up on how to change the water filter in the sink...


Biter Comments...
I live in Austin, Texas and we got a programmable thermostat and installation by the city for free. Of course, there was a catch to get it for free. During peak hours, the city will cycle off our A/C for 5 minutes at a time in 10 minute intervals. Peak hours are 4-6pm. Some people opt to buy their own because it can get pretty hot, but, hey, that's what fans are for. If you live in Texas, even if you're in the panhandle, and you don't have at least one fan in every room, you are sorely missing out. We've even got an oscillating fan in our kitchen and an oscillating fan on top of the ceiling fan in our computer room. Our indoor summer temperature is 84 during the day. At night, we cool it to 78.

Posted by: Lisa | May 10, 2007 at 06:38 AM

If we really want to save energy, just being conscious about it is best. Don't program anything. Our rule is, let's be as warm, or as cool, as we need. Let's just not let the lights or heater or AC be on when it is not what we really need. Of course we are not perfect about it, but as we are a cooperative group, we keep our energy costs pretty low.

Posted by: Walt | May 10, 2007 at 09:20 AM

How about saving the 150.00 to contribute to Greenpeace or to buy carbon offsets and just manually change the thermostat. Of course it will be a bit chilly or warn when you get home, but does anyone else feel that we are working a bit frenziedly to totally isolate ourselves from natuaral variations?

Posted by: Roger Nehring | May 11, 2007 at 06:55 AM

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