Save money and energy by replacing your outdated thermostat with a new programmable thermostat.

Step 1: Using the breaker or fuse in your service entrance panel, turn off the power to your furnace and air conditioner. Carefully remove the old thermostat from the wall. Use masking tape and a pen to label each wire with the corresponding letter(s) located next to each terminal screw the wires are attached to.

Step 2: Carefully disconnect the wires from their respective screws. Wrap the wires around a pencil or tape them to the wall to assure that they do not slip down into the wall.

Step 3: Using appropriate mounting hardware, secure the new thermostat’s wall plate to the wall.

Step 4: Attach the wires to the new thermostat’s terminal screws. Be sure to match the wires with the corresponding screws, Y to Y, G to G, Rh to Rh, etc., referring to the manufacturer’s installation guide for exact wiring instructions.

Step 5: Secure the new thermostat to its wall plate. Turn the power back on and program your new thermostat to effectively reduce your heating and cooling bills. Energy Star recommendations are no higher than 68 degrees in the winter and no lower than 78 degrees in the summer, with a change of 7 or more degrees during the day if you are away and 4 or more degrees while you are sleeping.