When money's tight, most Greater Cincinnati homeowners look for ways to save. Sometimes that means spending a little money to save much more. A programmable thermostat is one of those investments. Although you could buy a programmable thermostat with all the bells and whistles -- such as today's smart thermostats, which can be remotely controlled from your iPhone or computer -- an economical model could very well meet your needs, allowing you to have one temperature when you're at work or school and one or more other temperatures when you're home. 

A typical inexpensive programmable thermostat allows you to set up a standard program five days of the week and a separate program for the weekend. Some models let you set different programs for both Saturday and Sunday. You can also purchase a seven-day thermostat with settings for each day. You can program this type of thermostat for vacations, as well.

For maximum savings, keep your default temperature consistent, and avoid the temptation to frequently override the thermostat. In summer, have your air conditioner kick in at 78 degrees when you're home, and allow the air to warm up to 85 degrees while you're away. In the winter, set your default temperature at 68 degrees and throw on a sweater and slippers. Set your thermostat to lower the temperature a few degrees when you are away or asleep. Throw an extra blanket on the bed for added warmth. 

If you have unused or seldom-used rooms, close the registers for even greater savings. When you need the rooms again, open the registers. 

Tri-County Heating & Cooling's experts can give you more advice on how to buy a programmable thermostat. We can also answer any other home-comfort questions. Feel free to contact us. We've been serving Butler County and the Greater Cincinnati area since 1969.