https://utilityexplained.com/tags/programmable-thermostat/ Recent content in Programmable Thermostat on Utility Explained Hugo en-us Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://utilityexplained.com/blog/do-programmable-thermostats-cut-heating-bills/ Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000 https://utilityexplained.com/blog/do-programmable-thermostats-cut-heating-bills/ <h2 id="quick-answer">Quick Answer</h2> <p><strong>Yes — but only if you actually program it.</strong> Department of Energy guidance says a setback of <strong>7–10°F for 8 hours a day</strong> (asleep or away) can save <strong>up to 10% per year</strong> on heating and cooling. The catch: the savings come from the schedule you set, not the hardware. Energy Star stopped certifying programmable thermostats in 2009 largely because so many owners never changed the factory defaults — and those households often saw little to no savings.</p>