Smart Thermostat vs. Programmable
To many homeowners, the thermostat is an inconspicuous device that minds its own business on a little section of wall space. The truth is however, the often-inexpensive thermostat is actually the brains behind thousands of dollars of HVAC equipment. In fact, having the correct type of thermostat can actually save you hundreds of dollars a year in utility bills while also reducing wear on your furnace and air-conditioner.
The preaching of the last decade was that you needed to have a programmable thermostat installed as soon as possible. It makes sense – why not preprogram temperatures to be at efficient levels when you’re sleeping or away at work? As it goes, simply having a programmable thermostat is not enough anymore as now the true way for optimum energy usage is with a smart thermostat.
A programmable thermostat allows you to set home temperatures for many different time slots to coincide with when you’re going to bed, getting home from work, or away for the weekend. Once programmed to your desired temperature, the thermostat can only be changed manually at home.
The Smart thermostat takes efficiency to the next level by allowing you to control temperatures by internet access from phone, tablet, or computer. When life isn’t as routine as you would want it to be, a smart thermostat is perfect for unpredictable moments. For instance, a left open window, weather changes, pets or kids at home sooner than expected, or maybe you just fluctuate from hot to cold often. Smart thermostats are all about connectivity as they allow you to control your HVAC system from anywhere, at any time.
More to Smart Thermostats Than Programming and Controlling Temps
Essentially the connection between your thermostat, your HVAC system, and your WiFi device becomes a heating and air-conditioning command center. For example, notifications are sent when it’s time to change your filter or have routine maintenance performed. Receive diagnostic reports giving you detailed lists of energy consumption and data that reveals how efficiently your HVAC system is operating.
Something else that Smart thermostats actually do is learn your schedule and temperature comfort levels. What this basically means is that each time you adjust a thermostat, that time of day and day of the week is stored in the thermostat’s memory. Eventually, all these adjustments will help your thermostat create a preference schedule of who gets home and when and the device will automatically pre-cool or pre-heat accordingly.
What to Know When Looking for a Smart Thermostat
As long as your home has a WiFi connection, a smart thermostat can be implemented to run with your existing heating and cooling system. Something you should note is that Smart thermostats are going to be a bit more costly than solely programmable devices but their proficiency and convenience is the biggest payoff.
Two of the major brands in the Smart thermostat niche are Ecobee and Nest. Ecobee claims that their thermostats can save homeowners almost 23% in heating and cooling bills while Nest boasts 12-15%. Annual savings can exceed $150 or more which offers a very fast ROI compared to the initial costs. Plus, when your furnace and AC are running optimally, they have less wear and tear as well which can also save you on pricey repairs.
Simply put, there’s no reason to have anything but a smart thermostat installed in your home or business. Whether you choose a programmable or smart thermostat, Air Tech provides services to help install or maintain your HVAC system. For more information about services or pricing, call and schedule a consultation with us today.
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