Don't let the cold heat up your bill!

It is really cold here in Virginia Beach, and has been for a number of days. OK, for everyone from up north, I mean really cold for Virginia Beach.

I know for a lot of us our first instinct is to crank up the furnace. The problem is when you crank it up you can tend to forget about it. With heating costs being what they are now you need to be in control of your homes heating cycle. That’s where a good programmable thermostat comes in.

Using a programmable thermostat allows you to preset temperatures for different times of the day because you don't need to keep your home at 68 degrees around the clock. A programmable thermostat is an excellent way to control your home’s heating cycle. You can use a setting on the low end when you are a sleep or away from the house during the day.

For example:

Getting ready for work:    6 a.m. to 9 a.m. = 69 degrees

Your at work:                  9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. = 60 degrees                  

Family time at home:      5:30 to 11 p.m. = 69 degrees

Well deserved rest:         11 p.m. to 6 a.m. = 60 degrees

These thermostats are easy to install by following the manufacturer’s instructions. There are a wide variety of thermostats on the market with an even wider price range. Find what best suits your needs and budget, and you can start to save money on your heating costs. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, by using the recommended manufacturer settings, you can save up to $180 a year.

For those who are customers of Virginia Natural Gas they have a free programmable thermostat program at:

http://www.virginianaturalgas.com/Universal/energySMART/energySMARTFreeThermostat.aspx

For everyone else check with your local utility company and see if the offer a similar program.

Stay warm!