Are you still using an old thermostat to control your heating and air conditioning? You can install a smart thermostat to make your home more comfortable and efficient.

With a smart thermostat, you can control your heating or air conditioning from your phone or a smart speaker. You can set different temperatures for different times of day so you're not wasting energy heating or cooling your home when no one is there or while you're sleeping. Some models can even learn your habits and program themselves.

First, purchase a smart thermostat that will work with your HVAC system and its wiring. You can find a compatibility checker on most manufacturers' websites. And, you may want one that works with your existing smart home system, so check for that, as well.

Shut the power off to the HVAC and remove the old thermostat from the wall plate. Take a picture of the wiring before you remove the wall plate in case you need to reference it later. The wire colors should match up with the colors on the thermostat. If not, make a note which wire color goes to which terminal letter code. Then, loosen the wires and detach the wall plate.

Install the new wall plate first, matching the wires to the proper terminals. You may have an extra wire that's not needed. The thermostat clips into place.

Turn the power back on and follow instructions to set up options like language. Connect it to your home's Wi-Fi network. In the app, select "add device" to establish a connection. Then, you can control your thermostat through your smart speaker or the app on your phone.

Take control of your heating and cooling. Installing a smart thermostat will make your home more comfortable and efficient.