Different Types Of Thermostats
Your thermostat governs the operations of your HVAC system. It monitors your indoor temperature and tells your heater, heat pump, or AC when to turn off and on. With an increasing emphasis on energy-saving, enhanced convenience, and smart home integration, HVAC manufacturers now offer multiple thermostat types. Depending on your budget, goals, and climate-control preferences, you can choose a thermostat to install that does far more than initiate and stop heating and cooling service.
Manual Thermostats (Non-Programmable)
A manual thermostat is an analog or digital device with simple settings such as “HEAT”, “COOL”, “AUTO”, and “FAN. With manual thermostats, residents must manually set their preferred temperatures.
Common in older homes, manual thermostats are the most basic thermostat type. With modest price tags and minimal energy requirements, they serve the important function of governing HVAC operations, but they do little else.
How They Work
At its interior, a manual thermostat has a coiled, bi-metallic strip. When indoor temperatures rise or fall, this coil tightens or loosens accordingly. These temperature-related expansions and contractions cause heaters and air conditioners to turn off and on.
The Benefits
Manual thermostats are low in cost and easy to operate. There’s virtually no learning curve with these devices. If you have a limited budget and relatively static heating and cooling needs, a manual thermostat is an affordable choice.
Tip from Lakeland One Hour AC & Heating
Have Lakeland One Hour AC& Heating assess the location of your manual thermostat. This device should never be too close to heat-generating appliances or cold drafts that might impact its temperature reading.
Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats offer a simple, set-it-and-forget solution for consumers with busy but static schedules that affect their heating and cooling needs. If you leave for work at the same time each day, you can program a programmable thermostat to adjust your indoor temperature accordingly. With multiple preset temperature adjustments, a programmable thermostat can even heat or cool your home in advance of your return. A step up from manual models, a programmable thermostat can make six or more temperature changes throughout the day based on your needs or preferences.
How They Work
A programmable thermostat registers and responds to indoor temperature changes using an internal thermistor. The electrical resistance of thermistors varies with increases or decreases in heat. These devices also have internal microprocessors that save commands for preset temperature changes.
The Benefits
If you regularly dash out of your home for work only to realize that your furnace or AC is still running, a programmable thermostat can help. While you must be physically present to manually adjust this device’s settings, it will minimize oversights and human error. According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), upgrading to a programmable thermostat could cut your HVAC-related energy use by as much as 10% annually.
Tip from Lakeland One Hour AC & Heating
There are multiple programmable thermostat types available. 5:2 models allow for different temperature settings on weekdays and weekends. 5:1:1 models allow homeowners to preset different temperature changes Monday through Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Choose a programmable thermostat that aligns with your schedule.
Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat takes the efficiency improvements of programmable models several steps further. Smart thermostats are Wi-Fi-connected learning devices that gradually become adept at adjusting themselves based on residents’ comings and goings, temperature preferences, and more. Smart thermostats have wholly customizable settings, and like programmable models, they offer advanced scheduling.
Smart thermostats are integrative devices. You can integrate yours with your smart home system. You can also download your smart thermostat’s branded mobile app and control it via your smartwatch, laptop, mobile phone, or other Internet-connected device.
How They Work
A smart thermostat uses sensors to collect data on temperature, indoor air quality (IAQ), energy consumption, occupancy, and more. These devices use algorithms and machine learning to better understand users’ preferences, schedules, and behaviors.
The Benefits
Smart thermostats can compile detailed energy consumption reports, send IAQ and HVAC performance alerts, and provide filter replacement reminders. According to ENERGY STAR, installing a smart thermostat could help you reduce your HVAC-related energy costs by as much as 15% annually.
Tip from Lakeland One Hour AC & Heating
Have our team integrate your smart thermostat with your smart home system or other smart home features for optimum efficiency and convenience.
Wi-Fi Thermostats
A Wi-Fi thermostat offers the remote capabilities of a smart thermostat but with fewer thrills. Available at a significantly lower cost, these devices allow for remote temperature tracking and adjustment.
How They Work
Most Wi-Fi-thermostat models function much like programmable models while providing remote access. You can monitor and adjust your Wi-Fi thermostat from almost any Internet-connected device by using its branded mobile app.
The Benefits
You’ll enjoy the convenience and accessibility of a smart thermostat while paying a much lower price. A Wi-Fi thermostat is an excellent choice for any homeowner who isn’t comfortable with the ongoing data collection of smart home technologies.
Tip from Lakeland One Hour AC & Heating
Pair your Wi-Fi thermostat with voice control for easy adjustment and take advantage of preset temperature scheduling.
Zoning Thermostats
Zoning thermostats work with zoned HVAC systems to supply customized and highly efficient climate control. In a zoned HVAC system, homes have two to four separate service areas. Each service area has its own zoning thermostat, and residents can control each thermostat independently of the others.
How They Work
Zoning thermostats send “CALL” or “HOLD” signals to central zone control systems. These systems open or close duct dampers to distribute or reroute conditioned air as needed. Homeowners can choose from Wi-Fi, smart, and programmable thermostat models for HVAC zoning.
The Benefits
HVAC zoning could reduce a household’s heating and cooling-related energy use by as much as 30%. Zoning thermostats optimize the efficiency and performance of zoned HVAC systems by providing advanced functions like geo-fencing.
Tip from Lakeland One Hour AC & Heating
Take your zoned HVAC system to the next level by installing a zoning thermostat that offers geo-fencing. Geo-fencing establishes virtual perimeters around homes and within them. When residents move from one location to another, zoning thermostats can automatically redirect air accordingly.
Line-Voltage Thermostats
A line-voltage thermostat is the common choice for a direct-wired heating system, such as a radiant heater or baseboard heaters. These thermostats direct the flow of electricity to HVAC equipment.
How They Work
Line-voltage thermostats operate at the same voltage as heating and cooling appliances. In comparison, a low-voltage thermostat uses a transformer for HVAC control.
The Benefits
Line-voltage thermostats are both affordable and durable. They work seamlessly with direct-wired HVAC systems.
Tip from Lakeland One Hour AC & Heating
Due to its higher voltage, a line-voltage thermostat always requires professional installation. Never attempt to install one of these devices on your own.
Get Help From Lakeland One Hour AC & Heating
Let Lakeland One Hour AC & Heating help you find the perfect thermostat for your budget, energy-saving goals, and needs. With Lakeland One Hour AC & Heating, we’re on time or you don’t pay a dime! Contact us today to learn more about our complete range of thermostat models and schedule an appointment. Learn about the signs that you need a thermostat replacement in your home.