To Choose Smart Thermostat Or Programmable Thermostat?
When you are installing a new HVAC system in your home, how to choose a good thermostat?
As technology has changed, so have thermostats — old mercury switch thermostats are a thing of the past, a smart thermostat or programmable thermostat is essential.
Manual Thermostats
If you haven’t upgraded your air conditioner or heater in the last 10 years or so, you probably have a manual thermostat in your home. These simple devices have a limited number of controls — usually just on/off for the heat or AC and the fan, and basic temperature controls. You simply set your desired temperature and let the HVAC system do the rest.
Programmable Thermostats
The next step up the technological ladder is the programmable thermostat. These are more advanced than the manual models, and are designed to automatically adjust the temperature in your home throughout the day. They can also be programmed for a variety of different uses. If you’re home all the time, a daily individual program is ideal. If you work 5 days a week, you can program the thermostat to turn off your HVAC system while you’re at work, and turn it back on before you get home — all without you even having to touch your thermostat.
Some models can even switch between heat and cool during those odd times of year when it’s frigid at night and hot during the day. No more scrambling to turn off your heater once the temperatures start climbing!
Depending on your location and how often you use your HVAC system, a programmable thermostat could save you between 15 and 30 percent on your energy bill annually.
Smart Thermostats
The newest entry in the thermostat game is the smart thermostat or the option of the WiFi connected thermostat. These have all the benefits of a programmable thermostat with one added perk — they can be connected to your home’s wireless internet service, which enables you to control your home’s temperature remotely from a compatible smart device.
Which Thermostat Is Best For You?
When it comes right down to it, which thermostat will be the best option for you?
Let’s start at the top. If you have a manual thermostat, it’s time to upgrade — especially if you’re concerned about your home energy usage.
If they are compatible with your current HVAC system, both programmable and smart thermostats have their perks. We tend to lean more toward the smart option, simply because of the level of convenience it provides but if all you need is something to help you program your air conditioner or heater while you’re away from home, a programmable thermostat will definitely suffice.
Smart thermostats also tend to be more expensive than programmable models, so if cost is a factor a programmable thermostat might be best for you.
