Installing a Programmable Thermostat Article courtesy of DIY Network.

Older thermostats are inefficient because they operate at one setting all day long. You can save on your utility bills by installing a programmable thermostat that enables you to determine what times of day your heater or air conditioner will operate. Materials: One or two standard screwdrivers Drill and drill bit Optional: level Screws and dry-wall anchors Programmable thermostat Safety goggles A programmable thermostat (left) allows you to determine the times of day your heater or air conditioner works. Figure A Figure B Figure C Figure D Disconnect the power to the thermostat, and remove the thermostat cover. Locate the wires from the furnace, and remove them. Note how the original wires are connected (figure A), and label them with the labels supplied with the new thermostat. Remove the body of the thermostat. Spread the wires apart to prevent them from falling behind the wall. Remove the base from the new thermostat, and use it as a template for marking mounting holes on the wall. Drill pilot holes. Feed the wires through the base of the thermostat, and secure it to the wall with screws (figure B). If you're mounting the thermostat in dry wall, use the dry-wall anchors that come with the thermostat kit. Attach the labeled wires to the corresponding terminals on the base (figure C). Follow the wiring instructions carefully: color codes may not apply. Fill the hole around the wires with a piece of insulation or paper towel (figure D). This prevents drafts, which could affect the performance of the thermostat. Finish by attaching the thermostat to the base. RELATED ARTICLES: Home-Energy Audit and Thermographic Inspection Improving Home-Energy Efficiency by Installing A Ceiling Fan Green Remodeling Offers Smorgasbord of Ideas Green Flooring — From Carpeting to Cork