No doubt, the folks over at the Department of Energy have red faces right now. A recent audit found the government agency advising Americans on conserving energy, has wasted $11.5 million by not using programmable thermostats in their buildings.

“They’ve actually invested taxpayer money to be more efficient, and then failed to use it,” said Lane Burt of The National Resources Defense Council. “It’s like a double penalty. But the good news is that because many of the systems are installed and ready, the savings can begin immediately.”

Programmable thermostats are a great way to save money by turning down the heat when people are not in buildings. You can read more about installing your own here.

Credit: New York Times article