“Programming your thermostat can feel daunting,” says John Galeotafiore, who oversees the testing of thermostats and other home products for CR.

Ever feel like the controls on your thermostat might as well be hieroglyphics? We hear you. Whether you have a programmable thermostat or a smart model, setting a schedule on it can be confusing.

Programmable thermostats are capable of controlling the entire heating, ventilation and air conditioning system — from heating to indoor air quality and energy management.

But if you establish your own schedule, it will override the Nest’s learning capabilities and control your HVAC system pretty much like any other high-end programmable thermostat.

Programmable thermostats are capable of controlling the entire heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system — from heating to indoor air quality and energy management.

A programmable thermostat also can cut summer air-conditioning costs even more. Some thermostats automatically switch to a summer time-temperature schedule when cooling is needed. A year-round ...

Programmable thermostats on their own can save users from 3 percent to 5 percent annually, according to CPS. It says the demand response program can save customers an additional 2 percent or 3 ...