Programmable Thermostats
Would you like to lower your heating and cooling costs by 10 percent? All you need is a programmable thermostat - it automatically sets back the temperature in your home to preset levels at different times of day.
How it works
If you go to bed at 10 p.m., you can program your furnace to automatically change from 70 degrees to 65 degrees at that time.
If you wake up at 6:30 in the morning, you can program the system to increase again at 6 a.m. (great for those cold winter mornings), then go back down to 65 or even lower when you leave the house.
The system works the same way for summer cooling savings - just set it raise the temperature while you're sleeping or away from home to cut air conditioning costs.
The benefits
The feature you might notice first is the convenience - you'll never have to worry about forgetting to turn the thermostat down at night or when you leave the house. It's also a great deterrent to those family members who rush to the thermostat whenever they get a chill.
The benefit you'll appreciate the most is the energy savings. If you program your thermostat to set back the temperature by 10 degrees for eight hours every night, you'll save approximately ten percent on your heating bill. If you set it back while you're away from home, you'll see an even bigger savings.
What to look for
When you're shopping for a programmable thermostat, keep an eye out for these features:
A good programmable thermostat will cost between $50 and $150, depending on the features you want. You can find less-expensive models, but they might not provide what you need or have the warranty a better model does.
Installing a programmable thermostat
Installing a programmable thermostat is an easy do-it-yourself project if you have previous experience with wiring.
You'll save one percent on your heating bills for every degree it's set back over an eight-hour period!
Before you head to the store to buy a new thermostat, take a minute to check the number and type of wires attached to your old unit. If your old thermostat is connected to thin wires coming directly out of the wall, it has low-voltage wires, which don't present a shock hazard.
But if the thermostat is wired into an electrical box, then it's probably running off 120-volt current. Don't try to replace it until you've consulted with a licensed electrician.
If you're replacing a thermostat that contains mercury in a sealed tube, don't just throw it away. You'll need to contact your local waste management agency for instructions for proper disposal.
Step 1
Turn off the power to the surrounding circuit, and the circuit for the furnace and air conditioner, at the service panel .
Flag the fuse or breaker switch with a piece of tape to make sure no one turns the power back on while you're still working.
Step 2
When you're sure the power has been shut off, remove the old thermostat's cover from its mounting plate - but don't disconnect any wires yet . Unscrew and remove the old thermostat's mounting plate from the wall.
The old thermostat should have a letter identifying each wire. Attach a label that's included with your new thermostat to each wire that corresponds to the letter on the old thermostat.
If your new thermostat doesn't have labels included, you can use masking tape.
Step 3
Once the wires are marked, disconnect the old thermostat - but make sure the wires don't fall back into the wall . Wrap the wires around a pencil to keep them in place.
Before you go any further, install the batteries in the new programmable thermostat - otherwise it won't work once you get it installed.
Step 4
Position the new thermostat base against the wall to make sure it sits flush and none of the wires are trapped behind it.
Use a small level to check that the base is straight, then mark the center of the mounting plate's screw holes.
Step 5
Remove the base and drill a hole at each screw location.
Use a hammer to gently tap plastic anchors into the holes, then reposition the thermostat over the anchors.
Step 6
Thread the wires from the wall through the base of the new thermostat, then insert and tighten the mounting screws.
Connect the wires to the screw terminals according to the manufacturer's instructions, matching the masking-tape labels to the letters on the terminals.
Step 7
Turn the electricity back on at the service panel, and test the thermostat - in both the auto and manual modes - to confirm that the furnace and air conditioner cycle on and off at the appropriate settings.
Following the manufacturer's instruction to program the thermostat. Keep in mind that you'll need to set back the temperature for at least eight hours (either at night or while you're at work) to see a noticeable energy savings.
Please note: These "do-it-yourself" guidelines are provided as an overview, and should not be used as the sole instructions for a home improvement project. Always read and follow the manufacturer's directions for the products you choose. Alliant Energy cannot be held responsible for injuries or damages resulting from these instructions.
