YouSustain

Action - Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats can significantly reduce energy consumption by adjusting temperatures according to your schedule. Set the temperature higher in the summer, and lower in the winter, when nobody will be at home. Adjust the temperature during sleeping vs. waking hours.

The costs of this solution are simply the price range of the thermostat. The benefits are harder to calculate since it depends how the unit is used, giving the large range.

Known benefits and costs

Annual CO2 Savings600 - 1,000 kg
 1,320 - 2,200 lbs
Annual Cash Savings$100 - $200
Initial Cost$40 - $150
Time to pay for itself0.0 - 2.0 years
CO2 saved per year per initial dollar invested4.00 - 25.00 kg

* These values were taken from many sources including product documentation, published reports, and the referenced material below. The ranges are due to differences in methods of achieving this action.

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