Programmable thermostats: electronic programmable thermostats can take the hassle out of saving energy by automatically raising or lowering temperature at night and when you're away.(Home and Yard: Reap the Savings)

Today's include built-in energy-saving programs designed to cut heating and cooling costs by up to 20 percent so you don't have to create those programs from scratch. But confusing controls on some can make it easy to burn more energy than you bargained for.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

Major brands include CTC, Honeywell, Hunter, Lennox, Lux, Rite Temp, Robert Shaw, Trane, and White Rodgers, among others. You'll find two basic types:

Weekday/weekend models. These thermostats supply one energy-saving schedule for weekdays and one or two for weekends. While they limit the choices for those with varying schedules, they also reduce complexity. Price: about $30 to $120.

Seven-day models. These let you program a different energy-saving schedule for every day of the week. Price: about $50 to $300 or more.

FEATURES THAT COUNT

Clear onscreen prompts and intuitive controls help avoid energy-wasting mistakes, as do large readouts for temperatures and times, and a bold "hold" prompt or light that reminds you when you're overriding the energy-saving mode for added comfort. A large backlighted display makes reading and programming easier in dark hallways and at night, while a clear system-status display shows whether the heat or A/C is activated. Models with auto changeover switch automatically between heating and cooling, handy where days are warm and nights get below freezing. More models are moving to touch screens that offer touch-sensitive menus and replace buttons or knobs. An adjustable cycle on most models ...