If you would like to start saving some of your hard earned bucks, start with your heating and cooling bills and install a new thermostat. You can find some with energy ratings listed on them in yellow info sheets at the local hardware that do not cost an arm and a leg. Look online, too. You want ones with automatic settings.

This means you'll just set it and then it's hands off. And the results are that your environment will then be automatically controlled, night and day.

Note that even though most of these types of thermostats are battery operated, you will have minor maintenance to perform: checking the batteries annually with your smoke alarm batteries.

And also note that some of these units vary in degrees once they are preset. In other words, once you set the temperature, say at 69-degrees for example, the room temperature will fluctuate a degree or 2 on average either way: it'll drop to 67-degrees before the heat kicks on, then it'll heat to 71-degrees. So you will want to get a feel for the range you prefer for your family - and your budget.

What's The Thermostat's Benefit?

A thermostat controls the furnace as well as the air conditioning units within your home. You tell it what level you would like the home to be at and it will insure that it remains as close to that number as possible. The problem is that it is easy to set it and forget it. If you do not have a programmable thermostat now is the time to invest in one. They are only slightly more than a standard version and will do much more for you including saving you a considerable amount of energy.

First, consider what you have it set at. If you would like to start saving energy, experts recommend setting the thermostat at 72 F degrees during the summer months and at 68 F degrees in the winter. For every two degrees that you can comfortably lower this, you will save a good deal of money on your energy bills. Another tidbit of help; if you feel comfortable in shorts in the winter and are craving pants in the summer, your settings are off. Raising them just slightly and throwing a blanket on your bed will help you to save money.

Next, consider programming benefits that are offered with it. For example, if you work all day, why should your thermostat be keeping the house nice and toasty? You can program them to turn the furnace back up to your preferred level just an hour or so before you come home. This does not effect the way that you live your day, but it will effect that energy bill.

By doing all of these things it will help to benefit you in the long run. To keep your energy bills manageable, invest some time in programming your thermostat and using it regularly. You will find this to be one of the best tools that you have for improving your energy usage.

Other Energy-Saving Tips

Check into getting space heaters or a gas fireplace for just the rooms you inhabit, then adjust your house's main heat supply via the thermostat to a much lower temperature. This keeps your home pipes and other systems still safe from freezing while keeping inhabitants snug and warm.

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And similarly, think about getting small room air conditioners to save on cooling off the entire house, especially during the day if you work at home while everyone else is gone - at school, to a job, etc.