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Upgrade Your Wall Thermostat and Save Money

As home energy costs continue to rise, many people are finding new ways to cut costs. If you have an old analog wall thermostat, you may wish to update it to a digital wall thermostat that is programmable. Here are some reasons to look into this important upgrade.

Automatic Temperature Change

These new digital thermostats let you change the temperature in your home, up to four times a day. For example, if you buy a 5/2 thermostat, you have two separate programs. The first is for the five days of the week and the second is for the two days of the weekend.

Monday through Friday

Most people work from Monday through Friday, and the house may be empty during the day. You have four settings for weekday temperatures. Those settings are designed for:

1. Waking up in the morning

2. Leaving for school or work

3. Arriving home from work or school

4. Sleep

Winter Time

In the winter, you can set your thermostat to be at a warm 70F (21C) when you wake in the morning. This way, you will be able to take a shower in comfort, and get ready for your day. Set your leaving time for 60F (16C) and the house will stay cool, (but warm enough to protect your belongings) during the day.

When you get home, the house will be back to a warm 70F (21C). You can relax, eat dinner, and watch television in warmth and comfort. When it is time for bed, the thermostat will kick the temperature down low, as you sleep. Make sure that you have a nice warm blanket or comforter.

Summer Time

In the summer, you will want to wake up to a cool 78F (26). When you leave for work, the house will heat up to about 84F (29C). This is not too hot to cause any damage to anything.

When it is time to come home, your house will be nice and cool again. You can relax and enjoy the evening in comfort. At bedtime, you can have the temp bumped up a few degrees, while you sleep. The less you wear at night, the warmer you can have the temperature.

Weekends

On weekends, you can keep the day temp constant and the night temp constant. It is up to you. Also, it will depend on your schedule.

Saving Money

You save a lot on energy bills when you make it easier on your cooling and heating systems. Warmer temps in summer will save energy, as will cooler temps in the winter. Your furnace and ac will not have to work as hard. This also may save you money on wear and tear, so your ac unit and furnace may last a year or so longer this way.

These new digital thermostats are not expensive. They wil not break your budget, and will pay for themselves over time. They also are not that hard to install, although some people may wish to have a professional installation.

In Closing

Programmable wall thermostats can save money and energy. This is good for the environment and the pocketbook. If you have an old analog model, this may be the perfect time to upgrade.

About the Author

AJ Folsom is a free lance writer and blogger. You can read many important product reviews at her blog Alice's Product Reviews.

Panasonic Digital wall