Smart and programmable thermostats save money by reducing heat when you don’t need it. Whether you want a different setting for weekdays and weekends, or a schedule for each day of the week, there’s a model for every lifestyle. Set your thermostat at 68 F, then program your thermostat to decrease the temperature 8 degrees when you’re away from home and overnight. The only difference you’ll notice is in lower heating bills.
- Skill level: Advanced
- Not difficult for those who routinely take on home improvement tasks, but many people like to have an HVAC specialist install theirs.
- Cost range: $25-$250
- There’s an affordable model to fit any household, some including features like remote programming and indicators that let you know when it’s time to change filters.
- Savings: Up to $180 a year (includes cooling)
- By maintaining the proper settings, a smart or programmable thermostat can save approximately 8% a year in energy costs.
