uneven temperatures in your home

There are plenty of reasons why you'd want to replace your old thermostat. When the time comes, it's a good idea to take advantage of the opportunity to install a programmable thermostat. Today's programmable thermostats come with a variety of must-have features that make it easier to keep your home comfortable year-round. If you're in the market for a new thermostat, then you'll definitely want to check these 8 features out:

Touch Screen Controls

Many programmable thermostats now come with touch-sensitive controls. The large, easy-to-read display gives you a wealth of information at your fingertips, while the easy-to-use controls give you more detailed control of your HVAC system's heating and cooling functions.

Backlit Display

Even if your programmable thermostat lacks a touch screen, it should at least have a backlit display. This handy feature can save you the trouble of fumbling around for a light switch just to read your thermostat settings under low-light conditions.

Smart Recovery

Another feature you'll want in your programmable thermostat is the smart recovery feature, also known as "adaptive recovery" or "smart response." Using this feature, your thermostat essentially predicts how long it'll take for your HVAC system to reach the programmed temperature settings. This allows your HVAC system to start up early enough to gradually bring your home's current temperature to the desired programmed setting.

As an example, say you've set your programmable thermostat to reach 74 degrees Fahrenheit at 5:00 PM and it's currently 78 degrees at 3:00 PM. Using the smart recovery feature, the air conditioner system will kick in at 4:00 PM and gradually cool your home until it reaches the pre-set temperature at the set time.

Keyboard Lock

Many programmable thermostats feature locking keyboards to prevent established thermostat settings from being tampered with. This feature is definitely a must-have if you have rambunctious children or guests with a knack for messing with your thermostat settings.

Wireless Connectivity

With so many devices boasting wireless connectivity, it was only a matter of time before the humble thermostat went wireless, as well. Radio frequency remote controls give you an opportunity to adjust and program your thermostat from virtually any location in your house. Some thermostats even feature Wi-Fi connectivity, along with a handy web-based control panel or smartphone app so you can change your thermostat settings from virtually anywhere in the world, just as long as you have Internet access.

Vacation Mode

HVAC use accounts for 48 percent of energy consumption in a typical home, according to statistics from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Leaving your HVAC system off during your trip is one effective way of saving on your utility bills, but it also means coming back to an uncomfortable home. This is where a programmable thermostat's vacation mode comes into play.

The vacation mode setting allows you to leave your HVAC system on in an energy-efficient state, allowing it to provide just enough heating and cooling to keep your home at reasonable temperatures while you're away. You can also pre-set your thermostat to ramp up the heating and cooling on the last day of vacation, so you'll walk into a perfectly conditioned home when you return.

Air Filter Reminder

If you constantly forget when to change your air filter, the air filter reminder feature can come in handy. This feature gently reminds you whenever your HVAC system's air filters need changing, helping you keep your HVAC system and your home's indoor air quality in great shape.

Full Memory Save

It's easy to lose electricity during inclement weather or because of a nearby accident. A full memory save keeps you from losing your thermostat's programmed settings after a power outage. Many programmable thermostats are also equipped with a battery backup system, so they'll remain up and running even when your home's HVAC system isn't during power outages.