Got Air Flow?

Since we all can't live in beautiful spaces where the temperature is always perfect and there is a soft sea breeze blowing in the afternoons.

Most of us...just move to southern California, and while we can't complain too much about the weather this year (while it has been strange, it hasn't really been all together too hot OR too cold...) most homes aren't being heated or cooled sufficiently. If there are hot or cold spaces in your house, there are tons of suggestions I have given you over the course of this blog to diagnose/fix them. Here's to one more... (but let us recap a bit first) If you have hot and cold spots in your home, consider:

• performing a home benchmarking exercise in which all of the 'orifices' in your home are checked for 'leakage.' If you can't/won't/are too lazy to do this, you can always contact a heating or air specialist or even expert company to do this for you.
• making sure that all parts of your home are "Weatherized" - meaning that everything is insulated properly, weather-stripped, sealed...
• making sure that your ducts are fully functioning and not leaking or anything. This can also happen if you have recently had work done on the house that required workers to go up into the attic - more often than not they knock something loose unknowingly - that's why you don't have your rat guy fix your ac - they are horses of completely different colors.
• making sure your system is running at the government mandated efficiency level. This may mean replacing a dinosaur of a unit or as easy as asking for a tune-up.

If you have tried (or at least considered the options above) then head over to ehow.com and try their remedies.

"step3 Check to make sure that all of the air registers are open throughout the house. Air registers are the grill-like vents that are in each room to release the warm or cool air. Air supply registers have a small lever to open or close the vent. Air return registers don't have the lever, but it's important to make sure that all registers are unobstructed by furniture, drapes or clutter. Step4 Try simply adjusting the lever on the air register in any room that is too hot or too cold. Sometimes partially closing a vent on a register in a small room that needs less air flow will force more air into a larger room, making it more comfortable."

Wishing all a happy breeze in your home...or something like that.

Q and A for AC & Heating

Curious about your home's heating?

Well, good news. Because almost everyone has some sort of question about their air system, there are plenty of Q & A sites (one of which just happens to be on www.sinclairair.com/FAQ/Questions.htm). Another good Q & A site for debunking of a kind 'myths' is the one located at www.powerhousetv.com. They recommend NOT closing off vents in rooms that aren't used. They also give the chimney a pretty bad grade on home heating. But they are in the Midwest and I'm sure they know what they are talking about. Their science matches up and everyone in heating or air will tell you how important insulation and weatherization are to keeping your home comfortable. On the powerhouse site, they also have a pretty neat "facts & figures" area. While I am very familiar with the statistic "40% of home energy costs go towards heating/air" you might not be. http://www.powerhousetv.com/stellent2/groups/public/documents/pub/phtv_se_he_000608.hcsp They also mention:

"Each year, U.S. residential duct leakage costs consumers $5 billion. This energy loss is equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 13 million cars. A wood-burning fireplace can exhaust as much as 24,000 cubic feet of air to the outside. A $50 programmable thermostat can pay for itself in energy savings in just one heating season."

Things that I bet you didn't know. Now that you do though...looks like if you don't want to add your home duct leakage to the 5 billion it's time to get a check up on your heating system.

New Technology in Room by Room Comfort

Do you have rooms that are too hot or too cold?

Trying to keep a relatively comfortable temperature in a house can be quite the daunting task. While technology keeps getting better in heating and air systems - better freon, environmentally friendly exhaust, more efficient and quieter fans...try as we might, some homes still experience less than mandatory home temperatures. Most of this is due to the side of the house the sun hits, the level of in-home insulation and the floor plan. What's a poor homeowner to do?

Well first of all. Let's remember that there may be many different reasons for irregular cooling or heating within the home.

• If you have rooms that are markedly cooler (or warmer depending on the season) this can be a symptom telling you that your heating and cooling system needs to be replaced.
• If there are rooms that are getting no air from the vents in them, then this may be a duct work problem. Something may have 'chewed through the ducting (it happens, really gross, but it happens), or a duct may have come unsealed or any number of other things. In this case, you should call your HVAC contractor to inspect the duct work.

Okay, caveats aside: This new technology is pretty cool. A company called "Home Comfort Zones" has devised a system in which thermostats are placed in each room of the home. Balloon-like "things" (for lack of a better word) are then placed at junctions in the duct work leading to specific rooms. According to the temperature readings from the wireless thermostats in each room - the balloons either inflate (or deflate) to allow the optimum amount of hot or cool air into the room. Pretty neat idea...and with no effort from the homeowner? No shutting ducts (which becomes loud), no opening back windows in the hopes of a cross breeze...no work? Hmm. Now this is technology to watch and possibly consider for your next upgrade. Also check out their product on Popular Science's list of the best products of 2008 here.

Setting the Thermostat for Optimum Comfort

During the winter months it can be difficult to find the "optimum" comfort level indoors. Houses and apartments can either be too cold or too warm - neither of which is comfortable.

But what's a homeowner to do?

It can be difficult to find the right temperature for your home. Ideally, the recommended setting during the winter is 68 degrees. However, everyone has their own levels of comfort. A word of caution though: it is better to be chilly and put on a sweater than to run your heater at 90 degrees. In fact, each degree you drop your furnace during the winter can save you one to three percent on energy costs. Some common misconceptions:

Turning the thermostat on as high as it will go as soon as you get home will warm up the house faster!

FALSE!

According to the article:

"Second, when you come home at the end of the day to a house that is colder than you'd like it, don't immediately turn the thermostat as high as it can go "to heat the house faster." It's just not going to happen. The furnace isn't going to put out any more heat if you set it for 90 than if you set it for 68. What it will do if you set it higher than you want it, though, is continue to put out heat until you remember to turn it back to is desired setting. As a result, you might be wasting an awful lot of heat when you don't need it or want it to get higher than your desired comfort level. Setting it higher than you want it won't make it heat any faster."

You should turn your heater off when you leave the house or go to sleep.

false-ish...

I know some people prefer to turn off/unplug appliances when they leave or go to sleep. For those of you that follow that M.O. - I understand that it is too much to ask to leave these large energy-users running. However, here are some things to take into consideration.

• It is easier (it takes less energy) to raise the temperature three degrees than twelve degrees.
• If the temperature in your home drops below a certain point, the walls may freeze and so also the pipes. If the pipes freeze, you can be in trouble. Regardless that this may not happen often in Southern California - It IS possible and with the weather we are having this year...I would suggest that it is better to be safe than sorry.

Mr. Sheinkopf also suggests:

" usually tell people that there are a couple of basic rules that you won't find in an instruction book for properly operating their thermostat or heater or air conditioner, but they're strategies that will keep their home more comfortable and help keep energy use to a minimum. Let's talk about the heating season right now, though the general ideas here work just as well in hot weather (with the appropriate adjustments in direction of the thermostat setting, of course). First of all, it is a good strategy to turn the setting down a few degrees when the house is empty, like when you're all at work or school during the day. Maybe you've had it set at 68 degrees, for example, so if it's going to be empty for several hours, turn it down to 62 or 63 while you're gone. I've seen research that shows that for every degree you can turn the thermostat down from its usual setting, you can save anywhere from 3 to 10 percent on the heating costs during that time (the variance is due to various factors including the overall energy efficiency of the home, including its insulation levels, quality of windows, etc.)."

He also suggests that it is unnecessary to be "locked" into a certain thermostat setting for all winter, but that depending on comfort, the temperature outside, how many people you have in the house and other factors should determine what the thermostat is set to. Good Luck, and happy thermostat-ing.

Carbon Monoxide and Winter

Winter, with the increase in the use of furnaces, stoves and other gas/fuel burning appliances, coincide with increases in carbon monoxide poisoning.

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From: "Carbon Monoxide: A Winter Killer: CDC Says Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Peaks in December and January" By Daniel J. DeNoon WebMD Health News Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD Dec. 20, 2007

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"It has no color. It has no odor. It has no taste. It kills. The mystery poison: carbon monoxide or CO. It's a gas given off by gas furnaces, cars, charcoal grills, propane stoves, and portable generators. Every year, the CDC says, it sends at least 15,000 Americans to the emergency room. At least 439 people die of unintentional, non fire-related carbon monoxide poisoning every year, new CDC statistics show. But that's very likely an under count.

If your furnace is old, or the gas has been replaced/worked on during the year or if you have increased chances of carbon monoxide because of a stove or other type of fuel burning 'appliance' it is a good idea to get your home tested before the winter season.

Every home should have a fire alarm, and every home should have a carbon monoxide detector.

You can purchase a carbon monoxide detector from home improvement stores, warehouse-type stores or online (for as little as $12). Here are some other tips from the center for disease control through WebMD:

"To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, the CDC recommends: * Every year, have a qualified technician check your heating systems, water heaters, and other gas-, oil-, or coal-burning appliances. * Install battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors in homes, and change the batteries when you change the clocks for daylight-saving time. * Seek medical attention if you suspect carbon monoxide poisoning is the cause of your dizziness or nausea. * Never use generators, camp stoves, charcoal grills, or any other gas- or oil-burning device inside the home. Never use these devices outside the home near a window. * Never run a motor vehicle inside the garage, even if the garage door is open. * Never burn anything in a fireplace or stove that is not vented to the outside. * Never heat your house with a gas oven."

Rain and your AC

It's raining...and depending on where you live you may or may not have electricity. Depending on where your heat comes from, that could be quite the dilemma.

During winter, we tend to focus all of our extra (like that's a lot) time and energy towards the use of our furnace and other sources of heat. But what to do with the good 'ol air conditioner that after all, got you through the summer?

Well first: Should you cover up your air conditioner?

In California, I would say that it's not necessary. We really don't get enough "weather" to warrant much storm preparation on the side of your condensing unit. In line with that answer, Carrier - one of the leading HVAC companies (in the world) also suggests that covering up your condenser is unnecessary as it is designed to be exposed to both rain and sunshine.

What maintenance for your air conditioner is needed during the winter?

It is better not to let any debris or overgrowth or any other foreign objects get into or settled around your air conditioning unit. If you notice that it has been particularly windy, you might want to go outside and check to make sure that there aren't clumps of leaves or whatever sticking out of the fan area. This maintenance takes like 2 minutes of your time and can save you hours of service calls to your Heating and Air company once summer hits. Read more about air conditioning maintenance at Carrier's website: http://www.residential.carrier.com/knowledge/askme/acmaintenance.shtml If you are one of those who prefers to be extra safe...there are covers available for your air conditioner in the off season they are sold at home improvement and other 'fine' stores.

Spread the Eco-friendly "Green"

Paul Loeb, In his article "Saving the economy one furnace at a time" argues that in replacing our old heating and air conditioning systems we can both stimulate jobs and production, but also soothe our acheing wallets by alleviating energy costs. When money is so hard to come by, the luxuries are the first to go. Shopping for clothes and shoes slows down and eventually even the semi-basic necessities are cut out. One's car runs for longer than it should without that ignorable oil change, one's heating and air system can grind to a halt and the space heaters or fireplaces get cleaned out for regular use. Perhaps some of you are suffering in the chilly (and weird might I add) weather in Southern California because your heater went out. Instead of replacing it - or getting it serviced, inginouity has caused creative attempts to stay warm. I would like to point out that prices have gone down (relatively speaking) you are getting more efficiency for your moneys worth and preventing harmful refrigerant (that was previously used) from adding to the ozone layer. Plus there are tons of state and local government programs that will help you to pay for a new heating unit. Maybe it's time to be comfortable again?

Spread the Eco-friendly "Green"

How to Heat Your House...

Source: "Warm Up How to heat your house—not the outside." By Meaghan O'Neill and treehugger.com Updated Tuesday, May 29, 2007, at 12:26 PM ET

More than 20 percent of the carbon dioxide emissions in the United States come from energy use in homes. A major source of the problem is heating, and even though we're heading toward summer, heat is still an essential element in reducing your carbon load for the year. Some of us keep our homes warmer than we need to—if yours feels like an icebox in summer and a toaster in winter, you're probably in this group. In addition, most houses leak some hot air (and, in the summer, cool air) from every window, doorway, and air duct, which means that they're constantly wasting energy, and thereby upping CO2 emissions.

According to O'Neill there are always the alternatives to regular energy use. The article cites solar and wind energy, as well as geothermal heat sources - which are very "green" and will help your wallet in the long run. However, the article also gives suggestions if you are heating your home through traditional methods of gas or oil furnaces. Here are some suggestions:

• Chimneys of traditional fireplaces are designed to remove the byproducts of a fire by creating a draft. That means they suck heat from your home, even when they're not in use. It's a good idea to keep the damper closed. Better than a fireplace (or you could install one inside it) is a wood-burning or pellet stove. They supplement your regular heat source, are more efficient, and use fuel that's much cleaner and cheaper. • OK, so you're really stuck—you live in an apartment and can't choose where your heat comes from, or maybe even what temperature the thermostat is set to. You can still deal with your carbon sludge by purchasing carbon offsets for your home through programs like TerraPass. Your home won't get a direct delivery of green energy. But you'll be investing in it.

There are many different options for heating your home, ranging from pellet stoves to under-floor heating pipes to traditional furnaces and even space heaters. Whatever the method for heating your home, the goal is always to be comfortable and not break the bank. It might be time to start looking into some greener alternatives that will give you more comfort in home and maximize their efficency.

Damp Winter House?

During the cool winter months - and the bout of weather predicted for later this week, it is easy to close up all the windows and flip on the furnace or heaters in your home. If you have an older home, this can cause problems.
Cool air has less moisture in the air than hot air (scientifically because of the molecule structure), when that cool air is heated, even more of the moisture can be taken out of the air. The process of heating can create parts or areas in your home that are drier than others - causing dry skin or itchy eyes. Other parts of the home, say, where water is used often - the bathroom or the kitchen, or even those that are poorly insulated can have more moisture in them than the air can absorb. This can cause condensation on glass windows or outside-facing walls.
What's a homeowner to do? Well, there are several different options depending on the severity of the situation. 1. If there is mold in the home, steps need to be taken to not only kill the mold, but also to remove the spores. There are suggestions from Washington state at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/ts/IAQ/GOT_Mold.html. They provide information on not only how to remove the mold, but also how to prevent it in the future. If your bathroom or kitchen is poorly insulated, you may not even see the mold. Be sure to check inside or underneath cabinetry. 2. Use your heating or air system to adjust humidity levels. This one will only work if your ducting and units are in tip-top shape. If the ducts are being utilized to their optimum capacity and all the rooms are being heated to the same temperature - you probably aren't having problems with moisture. However, if certain rooms receive less air flow, it may be time to have a contractor inspect your ducting. Perhaps there is a bad seal or other leak in the ducting, which is allowing the heated air to flow into non-livable spaces. This link provides a pdf for more information: http://www.socalhers.com/resources/Why%20is%20duct%20testing%20important.pdf 3. Check your insulation levels. Especially if your home was built before the 1990s, the insulation levels have changed and so your home may be lacking layers that have been added to subsequent building codes. If your home is not properly insulated, heat may be escaping, and cool air coming in - also causing the temperature changes and condensation on the windows. More information can be found at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/consumer/tips/insulation.html If you have tried all of the above (or if they do not apply to you) you might want to consider adding a humidifier or dehumidifying option to your existing HVAC system to ensure that the proper levels are maintained throughout the day. This can be especially helpful for households where members suffer from asthma or other respiratory illnesses.

Winter-ize Your Home

In Covina at least, winter came...and then went... and now...it's...warm during the day and incredibly cold at night? So what is a homeowner to do? Use the Air Conditioning during the day and crank the Furnace up at night? -something like that. So, it is important to make sure that your heating (and cooling) systems are running at top capacity before you spend/waste unnecessary energy bill money on inefficiently heating your home. According to the gas company in San Diego, there are 10 easy tips that you can do to boost your efficiency and ensure that you aren't wasting precious heat or money. You can find the original pdf on their website http://www.sdge.com/winter/pdfs/tentips.pdf or we also have posted a copy to the resources section of Sinclair Air. Some easy suggestions from the guide: 1. Replace (or clean) your furnace often when the unit is being used a lot - AND - make sure the door closes COMPLETELY after the filter has been replaced. You want to make sure all of the 'gaps' are filled so hot (or cold) air isn't "escaping." 2. Try not to overload your circuits and whenever possible use a surge protector strip and turn the whole thing off when it is not in use. 3. Close curtains at night to keep out the cold. The guide continues to provide advice in the areas of general space heating, electrical and water use as well as furnace and chimney energy use. It is only a 2 page (1 page front/back) brochure that is very easy to read. It wouldn't be a waste of your time to check it out.

California as a Leader in Energy Efficiency Measures

Source: The Flex Your Power e-mail newsletter (Jan. 14, 2009 / #636) Story "California Approves New Emissions Reduction Plan." CARB - the California Air Resource Board has just approved new energy policy measures to make California's global warming initiative the most aggressive in the nation. "The central component of the plan is a cap-and-trade program covering 85 percent of the state’s emissions, which will be developed in conjunction with the Western Climate Initiative." According to CARB, they are taking these multiple steps to ensure that California remains in the lead in implementing energy efficient economization strategies. They hope to meet the goals using a diversified plan which affects air, rail and even water.

"Additional key recommendations of the plan include strategies to enhance and expand proven cost-saving energy efficiency programs; implementation of California’s clean cars standards; increases in the amount of clean and renewable energy used to power the state; and implementation of a low-carbon fuel standard that will make the fuels used in the state cleaner.
The plan proposes full deployment of the California Solar Initiative, high-speed rail, water-related energy efficiency measures and a range of regulations to reduce emissions from trucks and from ships docked in California ports. There are also measures designed to safely reduce or recover a range of very potent greenhouse gases - refrigerants and other industrial gases - that contribute to global warming at a level many times greater than carbon dioxide."

New Years Resolutions

So...most new year's resolutions have already ran their course and are sitting on a shelf somewhere waiting to be re-resolved next year. ("Psychologist John Norcross of the University of Scranton found that 25 percent of all resolutions fail within the first week.") The US government provides a list of common resolutions on their website - http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/New_Years_Resolutions.shtml and saving money is third on the list. Even if that were a resolution that you made, and have since dropped - everyone could use a bit of money savings, especially in this economy. Perhaps this blog entry from the department of energy will help to put your resolution back in the right direction. The blog entry is located at: http://eere.typepad.com/energysavers/2008/12/resolve-to-save-energy-in-the-new-year-.html#more and it gives an acronym to help your changes be "SMART" Smart - stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely. These are the keys to helping you to save money make a lasting impression. Specific - you want to be able to set a specific goal, the department of energy recommends reducing your energy use. This can be as simple as making sure you turn the lights off when you leave a room, or making sure you only have enough light turned on that you need. Turning a reading lamp on to watch TV is a little unnecessary. Measurable - everyone wants to be able to see progress while making changes, if there are no changes that are measurable the majority of people are likely to give up. They also suggest writing down your goals and keeping track of them often. Relevant -

"Relevant Set goals that are important to you. There are many reasons to try to save energy. Whether your reasons are related to finances, the environment, comfort, or some other reason entirely, be sure to define why you want to make the effort. Write it down and remind yourself regularly why saving energy is important to you."

Timely - if you are going through the actions to save you money in summer during winter, you may actually be costing yourself more money. Be aware of the season, the temperature outside and adjust your energy use accordingly. So, don't be discouraged if your new years resolution has gone by the wayside. It is always a good time to start saving money - and you don't even need a special occasion to do so.

Home Energy Solutions - What To Do If I Have a High Energy Bill?

According to Energystar.gov, there some common problems with home inefficiency that can manifest themselves in some easily recognizable symptoms. Some of these include, condensation on windows, very dry air and rooms that are different temperatures. Besides listing the problems, energy star also provides explanations on how homeowners can make simple changes to prevent these problems from happening. The first common problem is a high energy bill.

"Diagnosis: One reason for high energy bills is an increase in the price of electricity or heating fuel. However, it is common to trace high energy bills to an in-efficient component (windows, heating and cooling equipment, ducts insulation) of your home or a failure of one of these components to perform as intended. It is not always easy to pin-point the problem, but fixing it can make your home more energy-efficient and comfortable."

Their solutions? systematically go over each one of the options and fix and/or rule out the reason. So, the first make sure that the price of the fuel or energy source hasn't increased. Then, perform an energy audit of your home to see what places you could be loosing energy. Common leak problems are around windows and doors, or through the attic or basement. They also recommend checking your duct work for leaks or disconnects. This will allow air to leak into the attic and escape from the house, while not cooling or heating the rooms that the air was meant for. They also recommend setting your water heater at a lower setting, upgrading to energystar(R) appliances and CFL light bulbs. *Image used from www.blueline.net.au/images/gallery/lg-05.jpg

High ENERGY Bills

Have you ever gotten a really high energy bill and thought how on earth did they come up with this number?

Now, you can figure out what your energy bill should be and where the extra charges are coming from - WITHOUT spending 3 hours on the phone arguing with Edison... the site: http://consumerspower.org/home_energy/billestimator.php provides a bill estimator according to which appliances you have and gives a ballpark idea for how much you should be being charged. If your bill is higher than normal first check out this website. Then, if the charges match up - think about buckling down and paying the bill. But check to see where the huge increase came from and adjust accordingly. Maybe you were using your dishwasher way more than you needed or doing laundry on hot hot water - that can save you 30% of heating costs right there. If your bill comes out low according to the calculator, it is time to take up the subject with your electrical company. Maybe your bill got crossed with someone else's? Maybe they didn't get a previously posted payment and so are charging you for more than one billing cycle? Maybe...even someone is "illegally borrowing" some power from you. Have the electrical company come out and check your meter. If all else fails, get on the consumer help-line provided by the company. Good luck in battling high energy bills. Upgrading to energy star appliances is always a helpful way to lower energy bills, especially if they are high energy-use appliances such as air conditioners or refrigerators.

Furnace Terminology

As Furnaces become more energy efficient, it seems that the language one must speak to understand them also becomes more complex. Thankfully, many sites have taken the opportunity to provide alternate definitions in hopes of explaining these terms. We also have a glossary at Sinclairair.com. However, there are several types of furnaces. The website at http://www.atcoenergysense.com/Tools+and+Resources/Articles+and+Fact+Sheets/Residential/FurnaceTerminologyandTechnology.htm provides a couple of helpful definitions.

"Burner Controls
Today’s heating systems are manufactured with single-stage, two-stage or modulating burner controls.
Single-Stage: These burners operate with very little flexibility. Basically, the burner is fully on (operating at full fire) or fully off. Older conventional furnaces in many homes still operate in this manner.
Two-Stage: Much like having two furnaces in one. During mild winter weather when the demand for heat in the home is low, the burner operates at low stage. During colder temperatures, when the heat loss in the home is at its greatest, the burner adjusts to its higher stage (full capacity). This system cycles the furnace on and off more effectively, offering increased energy savings compared to a single-stage furnace.
Modulating: These burners have the most flexibility in adjusting to heating requirements (moving up and down continuously in relation to the home's heating demand). This system offers greater efficiency and comfort compared to single- and two-stage gas valve systems."

Is a Humidifier or Humidifier Option Right For You?

With all of the increases in Heating and Air technology, there are a plethora of add-on items available for purchase outside the regular furnace and AC model. Many companies are now adding allergen free lights to kill bacteria in the air or filtration systems that can be added to bring in outside air and then clean it. Another possible add-on is a humidifier. A humidifier can be a good option if you experience coughing, itching or bothersome eyes during the 'heating' season. How this works: cold air, by nature holds less water than warmer air (that's why in the summer humidity can kill). When cold air is heated, the cold air looses even more humidity. So, those sensitive to moisture (or the lack of) in the air, can have problems. Consumer reports (www.consumerreports.org) tested a battery of portable humidifiers (an alternative to installing one with your central heating system) but found many of them did not meet their manufacturer's claims. While others, provided too much moisture, which led to condensation on the windows. Another pro for installing with a central system is the need for cleaning. With the portable models, the filter needs to be cleaned before each use and deep cleaned if it has been in water for as little as 48 hours. The central humidifiers do not need to be cleaned in this same way, usually the filter is removed or itself cleaned less frequently. Humidifiers may be a good option for those looking to breathe a bit easier in the winter months. *picture from the article on consumer reports. To see the article, please click the title of this post.

"Why You Should Change Your Thermostat"

Suggestions found at: http://www.residential.carrier.com/knowledge/askme/changethermostats.shtml

Digital Thermostats Anyone?

Well, it might not seem like such a big deal - but really it can save you a lot of energy and money, especially when heating your home. On top of all that, it will probably make the temperature in your home more comfortable - consistency helps to prevent those problems a body has adjusting to temperatures. Digital thermostats are fairly easy to install and to work. All you do is program the thermostat to go on at certain temperatures (or certain times) or really, any other specific setting you need. Then, sit back & relax. The heater (or AC) turns itself on and off.

"According to EnergyStar.com, homeowners can save about $180 a year by changing thermostats to a new, digital, programmable thermostat and maintaining those settings. So, whether you are planning a remodel or simply trying to make your home as energy efficient as possible, you may want to change thermostats." - qtd from the Carrier page.

Or, if you would like, check it out at www.energystar.gov - they have even more suggestions on how to "winter-proof" your home, but a digital thermostat is one of them. If you DO have a digital thermostat- PLEASE don't use it like a manual thermostat. If you turn it on and off only when you want to, you are loosing out on any potential benefits. Your HVAC contractor can help with programming and answering questions. Don't be afraid to let your unit take care of itself. Plus, you might enjoy coming home to a nice, toasty house.