Cut heating and cooling costs

The average household spends a whopping $1,000 per year on home energy, and much of that cash goes toward heating or cooling when you’re asleep or away from home. One smart solution: a programmable thermostat, which you set to power-down energy consumption during low-use periods. Look for one that allows different settings for week and weekend schedules.

• SAVE approximately $180 per year (depending on your usage).
• GET IT You can find basic thermostats for less than $50 online, but a higher-quality one, like the Emerson Blue Easy Reader ($120; prothermostats.com), provides upgraded features such as a 6-inch display and a seven-day programmable mode.

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