Did you know that programmable thermostats save you money? In this age of energy efficiency, there are all sorts of appliances and gadgets that are specifically designed to save energy and save you money in the process. Making simple upgrades to your current household amenities such as programmable thermostats can save you a bundle without paying out much cash, to begin with.

Programmable thermostats are one such improvement. Installing a programmable thermostat and using it correctly can save you up to 20% or more on your yearly heating and cooling bills. What’s even better is that installing a programmable thermostat is an easy do-it-yourself project and using them is simple.

Here are some perks of using a programmable thermostat:

You can set a programmable thermostat to turn off and on at certain times of the day. So if you want your home to be a little warmer in the morning while you are getting ready for your day, you can program the thermostat to turn on early and then turn back down when you leave. You can also program it to kick the air conditioning on right before you come home on hot summer days.

You can set your programmable thermostat to turn off and on based on the temperature. For example, if you like your home to be exactly 68 degrees at all times, you can set your thermostat and it will regulate the temperature automatically to keep the temperature in your home perfect.

You can even set your programmable thermostat to different temperatures throughout the day. For example, if you want your home to be 70 degrees in the morning, but a cooler 65 degrees during the day, just program it in and let the thermostat do the work.

Probably the best perk is the 20% savings on your heating and cooling bills every year.

Here are a few ways that programmable thermostats can save you money:

Programmable thermostats prevent you from forgetting to turn the heat or air conditioning off, which means you won’t accidentally leave it blasting all day.

By setting your thermostat to automatically regulate the temperature, you are avoiding using auxiliary heat to warm your home when the temperature gets too low. When your heating unit goes into auxiliary heat, it uses far more energy than usual to get the temperature up as quickly as possible.

A few tips for extra savings with your programmable thermostat:

In the wintertime, try to keep your thermostat set to around 68 degrees. When you go away or leave the house for the day, however, program your thermostat to 10 degrees lower. The drop isn’t so much that it will feel uncomfortable when you get home, and it will save you money.

The same goes in the summertime as well. When you are away from home, keep the thermostat at a higher temperature to avoid using your air conditioning too much when there is no one home to enjoy it.

Using a programmable thermostat can save you a lot of money each year in heating and cooling costs. Visit your local home improvement store to see the wide variety of options available to you.

Choosing the right programmable thermostat:

With so many regions in the U.S. experiencing record-breaking heatwaves this summer, you should consider adding a smart thermostat to your home’s HVAC system. Choosing the right thermostat to install will have a major impact on not only how comfortable you are in your home, but also on your household budget. Here are some of the best programmable thermostats on the market.