ArcaMax

A key advantage of a programmable thermostat is that you can lower the level of heat or air conditioning when everyone’s away from home or asleep, and create a comfortable and affordable temperature inside your home. The device allows you the control to change temperatures to preset levels corresponding to your family’s schedule.

These units — available for gas and oil furnace systems and heat pumps — are sold at home centers, hardware stores and online. Our best advice is to choose an Energy Star-rated device to guarantee it’s an energy efficient product. Check out the “energy efficient products” section at www.energystar.gov for buying advice and suggestions about how to operate a programmable thermostat most effectively.

An HVAC (heating, cooling and air conditioning) contractor will charge $506, which includes labor and material, to replace a thermostat with a seven-day programmable unit. You can buy one designed for a homeowner to install for $146 and save 71% by doing it yourself.

To install the device, carefully read the instruction manual to get an overview of the job. When you’re ready to begin, turn off the electricity to the unit. Remove the front of the old thermostat and look at the wire connections. In some manuals you’ll find letter or number tags that label the wires as you disconnect them.

Open the new unit and mount it on the wall by drilling holes for the screws and anchors included in the package. Match the labeled wires coming out of the wall with the same label on the new thermostat. Use a screwdriver to loosen the screws, insert the wires in the hole and tighten the screws. Insert batteries in the back of the unit, install the front and turn on the electricity. You’re ready to program the unit for your family’s schedule.

If this is intimidating and you don’t have electrical skills and tools, hire a professional for the job because it’s always nice to have a pro to call when the heating or cooling stops.

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To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.

Pro Cost — DIY Cost — Pro time — DIY Time — DIY Savings — Percent Saved

$506 —$146 —2.4 —3.0 —$360 —71%

©2026 Gene and Katie Hamilton. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.