Would you like to save energy automatically, without lifting a finger or flipping a switch? A programmable thermostat will automatically adjust your home's temperature settings, making it easy to save energy overnight or while you're away.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a properly used programmable thermostat can save about $150 a year. Programmable thermostats are most effective if you are normally away from home during the week.

Using a programmable thermostat, you can schedule the temperature levels for your heating and cooling system throughout the day. As a result, you save energy when you're asleep and away from home. If you're already saving with a heat pump, you'll need to get a programmable thermostat made specifically for heat pumps.

Programmable thermostats can store multiple daily settings, usually including weekday and weekend settings. In summer, for example, you can program the thermostat to go up to 85¼ F when you normally leave the house and return to a cooler setting before you get home. In winter, you can have the temperature drop while you're asleep, warm to a comfortable temperature before you normally get up, and then go back to a cooler temperature until just before you get home.

While you can save energy by turning the thermostat up and down manually, it's easy to forget, plus you have to come home to a warm house and wait until it cools to a comfortable temperature.

Replacing an existing thermostat can be a task for a do-it-yourselfer. Thermostats use low-voltage wiring, but you should still turn off the circuit at the breaker to be safe. If the job requires more than just a replacement, call a certified heating and air conditioning company to properly install your new thermostat. To find the most effective programmable thermostats, look for the blue ENERGY STAR® label.

For a small investment, a programmable thermostat can make reducing energy use – and helping the environment – automatic.

Tips for Using Your Programmable Thermostat Effectively

• Set the energy-saving temperature period for at least eight hours.
• Avoid leaving it on "hold" or overriding the current settings.
• Change the backup batteries annually to keep the thermostat from "forgetting" your settings after a power outage.