Installing a Programmable
Thermostat
Programmable
Thermostats
Overview:
You can save
money and increase the comfort of your home by
installing a digital programmable thermostat. Older
model analog heating thermostats are not very
sensitive and cause wide temperature swings in your
home. As a result you seem to be always adjusting
them up and down to get comfortable.
Installing a
programmable thermostat will eliminate the need to
constantly adjust the thermostat and save you
energy by not over heating your home. Energy
savings programmable thermostats will permit you to
set the heat at any desired temperature and
schedule it to be turned on / off or down and up
depending on your needs. Many homeowners waste
money heating homes when there is no one at home.
By installing a programmable thermostat you can
program the heat to go off when you leave the house
and program it to come back on just before you
arrive back home.
A replacement
programmable thermostat cost less than $60.00 at
most home improvement supply centers and can be
installed by the DIY homeowner in a few minutes.
The new thermostat can save you as much as 10% on
your heating bill. Insure that you look for the
energy star label, which means the unit is
efficient and helps protect the environment.
Installing the new thermostat:
-
As always, the first step when working on electrical circuits and appliances is to turn off
the power to the thermostat at the main electric
panel.
-
Label the circuit breaker or fuse so no one
accidently turns it on while you are working on the
circuit.
-
Remove the old thermostat from the wall and
disconnect the thermostat wiring leads from the
back side.
-
Install the new thermostat back plate and attach
the wires. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
-
Depending on which model you purchase the
thermostat will either snap fit into the back plate
or require mounting screws.
-
Turn the power back on and program your new
thermostat to your heating needs.
By installing a digital
programmable thermostat you can save on heating
costs as well as being able to program the heat to
come on or go off as you like. The new digital
technology thermostat will also help prevent large
temperature swings in your home. I prefer the
Honeywell programmable thermostats as they are very
reliable and will last you as long as you have your
home. I do not recommend a wireless thermostat as
there reliability is questionable. The old
thermostat most probably has mercury in it, so
dispose of it in accordance with your local
hazardous waste requirements.
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