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Programmable thermostats are the cheapest and most effective ways to start saving money on your yearly energy costs. This is one device that will truly pay for itself within months.  You will see instant results on your very first heating or cooling bill. Best of all, they are extremely easy to install and can be had for under $50 if you know where to shop.

You can save up to 20% a year by adjusting your thermostat by 5-10 degrees at night or when you are not at home. A programmable thermostat will make the adjustments for you. Set it and forget it then cash in on the savings! Here are 5 affordable thermostats to start saving some cash for years to come.

Hunter 44550

Hunter 44550 Shop At Price Starting at $33.99 Customer Reviews

About the Hunter 44550:

Features:

• Auto Season Changeover Automatically Changes between Heat and Cool with the Seasons
• ENERGY STAR Compliant INDIGLO Backlit Display
• Auto Programming Home Today Override Temp. & Vacation Overrides Soft Touch Key Pad
• Energy Monitor Filter Monitor
• 2 Stage Low Battery Warning Front Battery Access Battery Powered
• Works with most heating and cooling systems including 24 volt, milli volt and single stage heat pumps

Lux Products TX1500E Smart Temp Programmable Thermostat

Lux Products TX1500E Smart Temp Programmable Thermostat Shop At Price Starting at $29.99 Customer Review

About the Lux Products TX1500E Smart Temp Programmable Thermostat:

Features:

• Display illuminates with a touch of a button
• On-screen programming
• 12/24 hour clock
• Weekday, Saturday and Sunday can be different
• Filter usage monitor
• Compatible with most 24 volt, milli volt and single stage heat pump systems

Hunter Fan Company 44360 7-Day Energy Star Programmable Thermostat

Hunter Fan Company 44360 7-Day Energy Star Programmable Thermostat Shop At Price Starting at $29.00 Customer Reviews

About the Hunter Fan Company 44360 7-Day Energy Star Programmable Thermostat

Features:

• Energy Star-compliant programmable thermostat for best savings
• Easy to program for each day of the week
• Compatible with  most 24-volt, millivolt, and single-stage heat pump furnaces and cooling systems
• Thermostat temperature ranges from 32 to 99 degrees F
• Indiglo backlit display for easy night reading
• Low-battery indication features 2-stage light

Central AC (including split ductless systems)

Split System Requirements- Energy efficiency ratio (EER) of 13 or higher and seasonal energy efficiency ration (SEER) of 16 or higher.

Package System Requirements- EER of 12 or higher and SEER of 14 or higher.

Typical Costs Installed- Up to $5000, not including repairs or duct work changes. Get 3 FREE air conditioning quotes from qualified contractors with 1 click.

Furnace or Boiler

Requirements- Annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 95 or higher for natural gas and propane furnaces. AFUE of 90 or higher for boilers or oil furnaces.

Typical Cost Installed- $2,000-$5,000 Click Here to Compare Gas Furnace or Boiler Installation Estimates

Geothermal Heat Pump (Closed loop, open loop and direct expansion)

Closed Loop Requirements- EER of 14.1 or higher. Coefficient of performance (COP) of 3.3 or higher.

Open Loop Requirements- EER of 16.2 or higher. COP of 3.6 or higher.

Direct Expansion Requirements- EER of 15 or higher. COP of 3.5 or higher.

Typical Cost Installed- $7,500 Click Here to Compare Heat Pump Estimates

Attic Insulation

Requirements- Must meet 2009 International Energy Conservation Code. Primary purpose must be to insulate.

Typical Cost Installed- $650-$1,500 Click Here to Compare Insulation Estimates

Wall Insulation

Requirements- Must meet 2009 International Energy Conservation Code. Primary purpose must be to insulate.

Typical Cost Installed- $700 Click Here to Compare Insulation Estimates

Water Heater (Gas, propane or oil. Electric units do not qualify)

Requirements- Energy factor of .82 or higher or thermal efficiency of at least 90%.

Typical Cost Installed- $1000-$1400 Click Here to Compare Water Heater Installation Estimates

Windows

Requirements- U-Factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) must both be .30 or less.

Typical Cost Installed- $700-$100 per window  Click Here for Home Window Installation Estimates

Wood Pellet Stove

Requirements- Thermal efficiency of at least 75%.

Typical Cost Installed- $2300-$6000  Click Here for Stove Installation Estimates

Uncle Sam wants you to save energy and he is putting his money where his mouth is. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 includes tax credits for making your home more energy efficient. The credits cover 30% of projects finished in 2009 and 2010 with a up to $1500 per year for most projects. The downside is they don’t include installation costs for insulation, sealing air leaks, windows, dors and roofs. Solar, wind and geothermal projects qualify for up to 30% of their cost even if the 30% is more than $1500.

Unlike tax deductions, tax credits directly reduce the amount of tax you owe. If the project involves renewable energy (solar, wind, geothermal), the cap is waived and the credit can be carried over to future years. I you are subject to the Alternative minimum tax, you might want to get your projects done in 2009 because the tax credits will be limited by the AMT in 2010 unless congress changes the law. To claim energy efficiency credits, you will need to file IRS FORM 5695 with your taxes for the year which the job was finished. Be sure to keep all manufacturer paperwork such as the Manufacturer’s Certification Statement as well as all receipts and itemized bills.
Federal energy tax credits do not cover appliances, programmable thermostats, and room air conditioners but state governments as well as utility companies often offer rebates on such energy efficient models. Click Here for qualifying energy efficient improvements.

Who cares about the environment?  is a common question and it deserves an uncommon answer.   Without sounding sappy or unreal, the environment is and should continue to be every one’s concern.  Everyone!  We’ve pointed out how negatively our precious environment is affected by poor decisions or inaction but what about conscious decisions and conscious actions?   What about decisions we make each time the gas lawn mower is started?  or that gas grass trimmer?

These actions make us all guilty of harming the environment and we’re here to tell you it’s not hard to change.  Our planet needs people who know the damage they can cause as well as the good they can share.

Share the good by doing away with your gas guzzling lawn mower and upgrade to an earth friendly electric powered lawn tool.  It will make a difference the first day and that is a satisfaction no one can take!  That good feeling to know you are not contributing to our earth’s pollution is one that can leave a lasting scene of goodness that is also contagious.

As a contributor of green garden tools, you can tell others you’re not contributing to more pollution and can even be a hero in your children’s eyes as well as your neighbor’s but more importantly, a hero in your own eyes.

Being earth conscious is not on the top of every-one’s list.  Making the change doesn’t happen by chance or luck.   Going green is a conscious effort and takes time and effort.

One of the biggest persuaders is knowing all the facts and understanding that we are all connected and our decisions affect everyone.  Knowing that the Earth is warming at unprecedented and unnatural rate and that Between 1961 and 1997, the planet’s glaciers lost over 890 cubic miles of ice!  Small facts like these tend to get people thinking even if for only a second.

If you have gone green but your neighbor has not or wont then it is your responsibility to show them you have and slowly others around you will follow suite.  Our actions are all connected and taking the first step is the beginning to helping Mother Earth.

Making the leap to electric powered garden tools is a serious decision.  How and when to do it requires planning and thought.  The best time to go green and change from gasoline power to electric is usually during the summertime when the garden requires more care and maintenance.

But I already have a gas powered mower and other tools….

Here is the tough part.  What do you do if you really want to go green but already have existing tools in working condition.  This is a sacrifice you need to make and retire your older tools for newer more efficient and earth friendly tools.  Just like changing light bulbs to more energy efficient ones, you actually have to eliminate the old and go with the new.

Should I donate the old tools?

At first, this seems like a perfectly logical solution but if you’re serious about going green and are ready to invest a few hundred dollars, you don’t want to give your problem away, you want to eliminate it.  Here is where you can reuse an old lawn mower or other tools by turning them into other useful things such as ornaments or re-purpose them  to serve a different function.  We have heard of people reusing the metal or turning the metal in for scrap and actually making money!

It is clear that going from gas to electric is a big and serious decision and one that will make a huge difference in your life as well as the planet’s.

As an environmentally conscious person, I take extra care in keeping Mother Earth  free from more pollutants and take steps to do my part.  In addition to recycling and reusing, taking little extra steps can make a big difference.  The power is in numbers! Here are five ways to help your planet:

Plants are a great way to offset CO2 gases and produce fresh Oxygen.  Keeping the garden well trimmed also adds to beautifying your neighborhood and naturally, using fuel efficient or electric powered garden tools seals the deal and if you really want to do your part, plant a tree!

It may sound simple but changing light bulbs to CFL (compact fluorescent light bulb) use 1/4 the energy than conventional incandescent bulbs.  This means less energy wasted.

For the really green, go natural and hang your washed clothes on a clothes line instead of the dryer.  Many have even taken up hand washing clothes and making it a Sunday morning family event.

Insulation and basic inexpensive house treating to save even more energy such as carefully wrapping your water heater with a low cost insulated blanket.  You can also reseal windows to keep cold/heat from escaping.

Reuse fabric bags instead of paper or plastic at the grocery store.