Your home’s thermostat may seem like a small, almost insignificant device, but nothing could be further from the truth. The thermostat is the control center of your HVAC system, helping you maintain a comfortable indoor temperature in summer and winter. If it doesn’t work, your entire system doesn’t work, but it also impacts your energy efficiency as well.
To help you navigate your options for replacing your thermostat, we’ve created the following tips.
Selecting thermostat style
There are many different types of thermostats to choose from, but they fall into three categories: Manual, digital or smart. Each one has benefits and uses, so you will want to consider your options carefully. Manual thermostats, also called non-programmable, can be digital or analog. They can vary in their ability to control temperature accurately, so you might find yourself adjusting them more often in order to find the right setting.
Programmable thermostats allow you to program your home’s temperature with preset information, turning it down when you are away. This allows you to reduce your energy use and your utility bills. In fact, using programmable thermostats can save you up to $180 a year.
Smart thermostats are the newest option on the market. As the name implies, they are more advanced, allowing you to control them from your computer or phone. These provide remote access and may even have features like voice instructions, dirty air alerts or learning capabilities. This means the thermostat learns your schedule automatically and programs itself based on that information.
Consider your HVAC system
After you determine the style of thermostat you want, you have to make sure it’s compatible with your system. One of the most important things to look at is voltage. In general, HVAC systems are either low, millivolt or high voltage, with low voltage being the most common. Looking closely at the existing thermostat can give you details on what type of system you have.
Next, you’ll want to make sure the replacement thermostat fits into the same location, with the same writing, as the previous one. This can be complicated, because HVAC systems have stages, which must work with your new thermostat. This includes 1-stage (system works at full speed if it is on), 2-state (system works at low or high speed) and variable (system’s speed can change).
As you can see, there are a few things to consider when you replace your thermostat. The decision you make can impact your overall comfort, as well as your utility bill. If you aren’t sure how to determine the best option, you should always ask a professional. They can answer your questions and make sure you get the perfect thermostat for your home.
Need help deciding what thermostat to get, or installing a new thermostat? Contact us today to schedule a service call.
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