Replace thermostat
 

I'm looking for someone to replace my old thermostat with a programmable digital one. Estimates range from $179 to $255. Can anyone recommend someone a little less expensive and yet reliable?

any DIY guy can do it. ask one of your handy neighbors. the wires are color coded and its very easy.

I'd contact John (Handieman) 350 7 3 7 3. He's reasonable and knows how to do stuff like this.

Very well said!

Whoever you get to change to a digital thermostat, make sure they show you how the change the batteries...also save the instructions. Keep spare batteries on hand (FYI - mine seem to last about two years). Digital is the way to go once you get the hang of it.

I change the batteries in my thermostat once a year when I change the batteries in my smoke alarms. It is only thre AAs. Makes life easier.

I do it on the change clock weekend.

I don't recall ever changing batteries in the digital stat - have had this house for 6 years. Are they backup only like the smoke alarms and the stat will work without them as long as there is normal house power?

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Chuckinca - The batteries are usually backup only but may need to be replaced annually anyway. Some of them are rechargeable sealed lithium batteries which shouldn't ever be a problem. Most of them use AA or AAA penlight batteries which will leak after a bit of time and will ruin your thermostat or whatever else they are in. A quick look at them will tell you the difference real quickly. Even the sealed rechargeables will eventually start to fail on you and after 10 years I would swap them out just to be safe. Same general advice goes for smoke and CO alarms.

While you are at it, I would change the batteries in the outside garage door opener pad and the control unit for your sprinkler system.