A thermostat is important for keeping your home warm or cool any time of the year. It gives you control over the temperature and also tracks how cold or hot it is to maintain your comfort level. Nowadays, digital technology has yielded new options; you can choose a smart thermostat or programmable thermostat for your heating and cooling system. Here is information on both, to help you understand each and make the best choice for your home.
Programmable Thermostats
A programmable digital thermostat allows you to set the temperature on a schedule. This can be personalized based on the specific days of the week or times of the day you need your HVAC system the most. You can set it according to when you’ll be home. Less energy will be used for heating and cooling as well, so your home’s energy efficiency may improve.
Programmable models also come with the benefit of a large, clear display. Rather than depend on a bulky mechanical dial of an analog thermostat, you can adjust your air conditioner or furnace with the press of a button. Changes can often be made to within 1ËšF, making the thermostat more accurate than manual units.
Smart Thermostats
While also programmable, smart thermostats can track patterns of behavior and adjust to them automatically. They also have more features, including the ability to detect when someone enters or leaves a room. The temperature can be adjusted to a predetermined setting as soon as an occupant enters. In fact, it may even sense whether anyone is home or the house is unoccupied, which ultimately saves on energy bills.
Many smart thermostats are also Wi-Fi enabled, which allows users to control them using a computer, tablet, or smartphone. There are also models that include functions you wouldn’t associate with a thermostat. Depending on the system, you may be able to access reports showing your energy usage over time, receive maintenance reminders, and schedule vacation time or other extended events when air conditioning isn’t necessary. Additionally, some units track weather conditions to adjust the temperature accordingly.
One example of a smart thermostat is Nest, which incorporates sensors that track the temperature in every room. It is designed specifically to learn your schedule. Ecobee thermostats include automatic adjustment and occupancy detection, as well as voice control. These brands offer numerous models with a range of features. The Honeywell Lyric, which allows you to set a perimeter using geofencing, so it kicks in when you’re in range, is also worth considering. Thermostats from iDevices can be controlled using Alexa and Siri voice assistants.
Programmable vs. Smart Thermostats: Which to Choose?
They are both effective and can save energy and money. Whether you decide on a programmable or smart thermostat depends on your preferences and budget. You can start by asking yourself if the technology and features of a smart unit would benefit you. If not, a programmable thermostat may meet your needs; if you’re a technology buff, an upgrade may be worth it. But if you have an old or manual thermostat, updating to either type will likely be beneficial. Just make sure the new thermostat is compatible with your current heating and cooling system.
Contact Sky Heating & Air Conditioning
Sky Heating & Air Conditioning provides thermostat installation services and is available 24/7 for thermostat repair when you need it most. Trusted for professional AC and heating services in Portland and The Dalles, Oregon, we’ve enhanced our sanitizing and social distancing procedures to protect our customers during the coronavirus pandemic. To request service by a licensed technician, call us at 503-235-9083 or feel free to use our online scheduling tool.