A change in weather means it is time to review the programming on your thermostat.  That is, if yours is programmable.  If not, you might consider swapping yours for a new one.  It’s a small investment that can pay off big in energy savings.  Then, a few minutes spent programming each season can pay off big time on your energy bills.

Start by switching the thermostat to the appropriate setting, heat or cool.  Then, it’s time to think about your household schedule and preferences to develop a program that works for you while saving energy.

Many people are home for a short time in the morning, leave for much of the day and then return home in the evening.  In this case, you can set the temperature to be a little warmer when you wake up, but go back down when you leave for work.  Then, have it warm up a little once again when it’s time to come home.  Finally, at bedtime, lowering the temperature can save energy and still be comfortable because family members can keep warm under covers.  Choosing a setting that doesn’t over heat or over cool when you’re away or asleep is what saves the most energy.

Opinions vary on how much you should turn the thermostat down while you’re away, but a good rule of thumb is about five degrees.

Choose a temperature that will save energy but still be comfortable while you are home.  This is usually a few degrees cooler in the winter than in the summer.  One idea for selecting this temperature is to set your thermostat where you think it needs to be for one day, then try one degree cooler (or warmer) each day until you find the temperature that makes you comfortable but also saves energy.

Keep in mind that using an extreme temperature will not heat or cool a home any faster.

If you’re away from home for extended periods on the weekends, try setting the temperature up in the warmer months and back in the colder months.

If you want more information, or help programming your thermostat, Energy Star offers some really neat calculators and tools on their website.