Energy Efficiency | Have you learned to program your thermostat?
How much do you spend on heating and cooling bills annually? If you could save 10 percent of that money, what would you spend it on? A programmable thermostat can automatically lower your thermostat in the winter to save energy and save money.
(And, of course, check Allconnect.com to make sure you’re paying the lowest electric and natural gas prices available in your area.)
According to the Energy Savers web site, you can save up to 1% for each degree that the thermostat is turned back, as long as the change in temperature lasts eight hours. If you turn your thermostat back 10 to 15 degrees while you are at work or while you are asleep, you can save up to 15 % (depending on how well your home is insulated and the climate in which you live).
Programmable thermostats are one of the easiest ways to save energy. They are inexpensive, easy to install, easy to use, and pay for themselves quickly (if you program them correctly). According to the Energy Savers web site, there are some heating systems that do not work well with programmable thermostats. See the Energy Savers site for details.
And that myth about it taking more energy to bring the temperature back up? How Stuff Works addresses your concerns in the article “How to Conserve Energy at Home.”
According to StopGlobalWarming.org, if you turn your thermostat down two degrees in the winter and up two degrees in the summer, you can reduce your carbon dioxide output by 2000 lbs (one ton) per year. For comparison, your car emits 2000 lbs of carbon dioxide after consuming 102 gallons of gasoline.
For other ideas on How to Save Money Heating and Cooling Your Home, see the energy tips at Allconnect.com.
