A report from the US Energy Department shows that you can reduce your monthly energy and heating bills by between 8% and 10% simply by lowering your house's thermostat by eight degrees fahrenheit for an average of eight hours per day.

It sounds really easy, but it is a technique often overlooked by the busy American and the most basic way to start enjoying the savings you generate is by lowering the thermostate temperature while you are sleeping or before you leave the house.

Thermostats function as a switch system for your household's heating needs. Automatic thermostats instantly shut off or adjust themselves when it senses that the room's temperature has declined or increased.

However, this on and off mechanism is sometimes what causes the energy bills to skyrocket. When your thermostat does this to you, it might be time to get a replacement, preferrably one that is programmable and equipped with an automatic setback function.

This way, if you forget to adjust your house's temperature during busy days, a programmable thermostat system is sure to remember and act swiftly.

Programmable thermostats are more convenient because they can be set on a number of temperature levels. Some models even store as many as six, so you won't need to keep changing it from time to time.

Having one is actually a more cost-efficient way of controlling your energy usage. While programmable thermostats are relatively expensive, they bring greater benefits in the long run.

There are a lot of setback thermostats in the market today and you should find yourself lucky for living in a day and age where innovations and system improvements are sprouting here and there.

Most programmable thermostats cost between $30 and $100, depending on their features and versatility. The most efficient ones have the ability to store various setback periods for an entire week. Of course, since this is still a machine, you ultimately have the power to adjust settings in the event that your heating needs change.

When you're buying a thermostat, get one that already has a backup battery pack so you won't have to keep reprogramming the clock when a power shutdown happens.

Also, choose one that has the approval of the Environmental Protection Agency. You will know if the device is environment friendly if it carries the Energy Star seal.

If you are still in doubt about the kind of thermostat you should get for your home, it's best to ask the experts about it. Getting the wrong one might not actually save from gargantuan energy bills, so it would be more prudent to discuss your needs with the seller. Thermostats are available at several home stores and cooling centers.