The Programmable Thermostat

It took me years to decide to install a programmable thermostat.  The cost was not that great, and I wonder why I waited so long to install it.   I do not notice much difference in the summer, in my electric bill, as I never kept the house very cold, and still do not. Also, I often open the house in the milder weather, rather than use the air conditioner.  Sometimes, except for July and August, the rest of the South Plains summer evenings are cool enough that I can shut off the air and open the windows. Which is wonderful. Of course, before I bought the replacement windows, that was not possible.

But, in the winter, I notice the difference.  During the day, I have the thermostat set at 65°.  I suspect Haiku thinks that is a little cool, because I would find her under the covers on the waterbed, before I switched to a conventional mattress.  I am not sure what Taki thinks, but she does not seem to mind the colder temperature. Sake likes it a little cooler.  And, sometimes when I am home,  especially if I am not very active, I adjust the thermostat up. 

But during the late night, I leave the temperature down, and have a very warm bed in which to sleep.  Plenty of warm bedding.  Warm and comfortable, to the point of luxurious.  And, the thermostat is set to warm the house so when I have to get up and get ready for the day, it is warm, again.

Having the thermostat set like this, I have noticed a huge difference in my natural gas bill. The first year I had the programmable thermostat, I calculated it paid for itself less about $20.  So, it now is earning a profit for me.  That is a blessing. 

I have to say, if you do not have a programmable thermostat, it is one expense on which you will receive an immediate return.