A programmable thermostat can
save you as much as 10 percent
annually on energy bills.

Things to Know 1-4

1. Program your thermostat. Using a programmable or automatic setback thermostat to regulate the temperature in your house can save you as much as 10 percent annually on energy bills. Such thermostats are easily installed, and cost from $40 to $100 at hardware stores. By maintaining peak usage for only the four or five hours a day that you're awake and at home, a programmable thermostat can quickly pay for itself.

2. Keep the humidity in check. The higher the humidity, the harder our bodies have to work to cool off. Most people feel comfortable when the relative humidity is about 45 percent. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers control humidity levels inside the home. Running a portable unit near a forced-air heating, ventilating, or air-conditioning system can work, but a whole-house system runs more quietly and connects directly to a water supply.

3. Install a whole-house fan. Whole-house fans are making a quiet comeback. These fans -- look for units that have noise-reduction features -- draw cooler nighttime air through open windows and up into attic spaces. Because of this, they're most likely to be paired with attic ventilation systems.

4. Go window-shopping. Manufacturers now offer a wide range of energy-efficient features in replacement windows, including low-emissivity (low-E) glass, which blocks radiant heat with a transparent coating. Heat-blocking films also are available through specialty installers, but make sure that installation will not void the window manufacturer's warranty or negatively affect the appearance of the window.