As cooler weather is on it's way, now is the time for your to check to see that your current thermostat is working.

Although you can just turn on your heat with your thermostat there are a few things that you should consider doing first.

• If  your heat comes from a natural gas system you should think about having a check up on your furnace. This is also the case for electrical furnaces and furnaces that also use home heating oil. often the company that supplies you with your natural gas or home heating oil will do a check-up for free.  Just be sure to ask to see if there are any charges first.  However, a check up is very important to make sure that your furnace doesn't have any cracks, birds nests in the flue and that everything is working as it should.
• Do you have a CO2 device in your home? CO2 is an odorless, colorless gas than can kill. Every year you read stories about families that have died in their sleep due to CO2 poisoning.  A CO2 device is inexpensive and it can save your families life. Even if you are on a strict budget try to fit one in. You may also check with your power company,  state department or natural gas company to see if they have any free ones that you can have. Many fire departments also have free programs - don't be embarrassed - if you don't have one --ask for one.
• Check for furnace filter to be sure that it is clean. If not replace it before using your furnace.  A clogged furnace is not only wasting you money on fuel it is also dangerous.
• Don't forget to change the batteries in your smoke detector. They should be changed twice a year and you should always check to make sure that it is working correctly.

In addition to the above ask your fuel or furnace company if they have any other suggestions for you. When your furnace is working correctly, it is not just safer for you and your family but you can also save on your heating bills.

Now that you know that your furnace is running correctly take a look at your thermostat and if it uses batteries be sure to replace them.  If you think that there may be some life left in them, hang on to them to use in your hand held gaming systems or radio.

Is your thermostat flush with the wall or is it dangling and loose? Adjust it as needed. If any of the wires look frayed be sure to replace your thermostat. Don't take any chances by trying to tape up loose wires. 7 day programmable thermostats are inexpensive, so toss out the old one to be safe. Remember that safely always comes first!

Do you have an old fashioned thermostat where you have to manually adjust the temperature? If so you may be wasting energy and having higher home heating bills than you should.

With a programmable thermostat you can adjust your temperatures lower in the evening while you are asleep and while you are away during the day. By having a 7 day programmable thermostat you can program weekdays differently than weekends.

By setting your thermostat to your needs automatically you'll find that your furnace or heating system will go on only when you need it to. Whats the sense in having your home heated to 70 degrees during the day if you are away at work? Program it to turn down right before you leave for work and then turn back on about 30 minutes before you return home. This way your home will be warm for you, but you didn't have the heat on all day long.

If you are deciding that you need a new thermostat you should know that there have been many changes over the last few years and programmable thermostats are much more user friendly.

With touch screens, and easy to read and understand you no longer need a bachelors degree to get your 7 day programmable thermostat working correctly.
There are also new wireless remote controls so that you can over ride your set temps quickly and easily.If you have a tendency to lose the TV remote - then a wireless remore would not be a good option for you. Some do have cradles where you can store your remote.

Many programmable thermostats also have a "temp" program which allows you to raise or lower the heat for 10-15 minutes. This often is a nice feature if you have small children for when they come out of the bath.

When looking at programmable thermostats be sure to read the description carefully so you know what features it has or doesn't have. You will often find that your thermostat doesn't have to be the most expensive,  just make sure that it has the features that you want and that is by a brand name that you can rely on.

For a large selection of thermostats at competitive prices you might want to take a look at the ones available at Amazon -->Here
At Amazon you can read the product description without having to squint like you would at a retail store, you can take all the time you need to make your decision from a large selection of thermostats and you can also read reviews from actual customers. Did they like the thermostat, or was there any problems with it. Often you will find tips that they give which can help you make the correct choice for your family's needs and budget.

7 Day Programmable Thermostats at Amazon