Install and Use a Programmable or WiFi Thermostat

Action of the Month for December
 
Basic Action
Installing and using a programmable thermostat properly is one of the easier ways to save energy and money and help fight the global change of climate. It allows pre-programmed settings to regulate the temperature of your residence in both winter and summer. In winter, use one setting when you are home awake. Use a lower one when you are asleep or away from home. U The point of using heat is to keep people comfortable, not empty houses. Set it for colder when you will be sleep or away from home for 8 hours or more.

A WiFi thermostat, sometimes referred to as a Smart thermostat, can be used as part of a home automation feature to control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning in a home.

If you shop for a programmable or WiFi thermostat, look for a model with the EnergyStar label. You can view a video about choosing an EnergyStar thermostat ahead of your purchase.
 
If you are a qualified Montana NorthWestern Energy residential customer, you can look for either electric or natural gas rebates for a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat. Learn about their rebate programs for these thermostats, and download their forms from the above link to apply.
 
After installing your programmable or WiFi thermostat, experiment to find your best minimal heating needs for when you are home awake and for when you are home asleep. You can start your experimental settings with 68 degrees during the day and 55 degrees at night. If you want, you can try moving it up or down from there. Many people set their heat to 55 degrees at night programming their thermostat 10 to 15 degrees lower for the eight sleeping hours.
 
If you use more than one thermostat in your home because you have heating or cooling zones, you will need a programmable thermostat for each zone. Your advantage is that you may be able to significantly reduce heating or cooling to zones that are not currently in use—for example, the kids’ bedrooms when they are away at college or a guest area not in use.
 
Switching from a traditional thermostat to a programmable or WiFi thermostat can leave you with the warm feeling of knowing you are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and taking a part in improving the environment for generations to come. 

Tips-for-programmable-thermostats.pdf

Advanced Actions for those already using a programmable or WiFi thermostat:
If you are running your sleep setting and/or away-from-home thermostat setting at 57 degrees or higher, try lowering your thermostat settings in the winter by at least 2 degrees lower than you used before. Check out the tips at the link above, too.
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Help a friend install a programmable thermostat.