Which Thermostat Is Right for My Home?
Making sure that you have the right thermostat is an important element of comfort in your home. Choosing from among the energy efficient thermostats may also help you save money, but you’ll need a model that is compatible with your existing HVAC system. Knowing your own preferences will also help you steer toward the solution of the types of thermostats that’s going to work for you.
Consider Your Home’s Size and Layout
Your home’s size and layout affects both placement and what model is appropriate. A thermostat in a sunny room tends to read temperatures as higher than they are elsewhere. It can be difficult to regulate temperature in houses that are open plan or more than one story. In those cases, ductless mini-splits might be a better choice.
We recommend placing smart, programmable or manual thermostats to install on an inside wall in a room that is used fairly regularly. However, it shouldn’t be a kitchen or a bathroom. In addition, smart thermostats must not be obstructed. This type must also be in a position where it remains connected to your wireless network.
Do You Want Manual or Programmable Control?
Manual thermostats are the simplest and least expensive option. They require you to manually adjust the temperature each time you want to change it, but they’re easy and straightforward to operate.
Programable thermostats allow you to set different temperatures for different times of day or even days of the week, depending on the type that you have. One advantage of programmable over manual thermostats is that you can simply set them and forget about them.
Our recommendation is that manual thermostats can be good choices for people who are not comfortable dealing with technology or who spend a lot of time at home and tend to maintain a consistent temperature. However, programable thermostats are not difficult to use, and if you’d like more control, that may be the better choice.
Smart Thermostats for Maximum Control and Efficiency
Smart thermostats offer the greatest degree of control and may also allow you to run your heating and cooling more efficiently. If you often leave your house and realize you wish you’d adjusted the temperature, you’ll appreciate the ability to do so remotely. Some smart thermostats can also detect your patterns and make their own adjustments based on that.
If you want to be able to control your settings when you’re away or if you have an irregular schedule, this may be the best choice for you. You may also want to consider a smart model that can detect when you’ve left the house and make adjustments accordingly.
Consider Your HVAC System
If you have a traditional central HVAC system, you can use manual, programmable or smart thermostats. Your choice does have to be compatible with your system’s voltage. It also must be compatible with how many stages your system has. This might be one or two stages, or it might be variable.
There are a few added concerns when it comes to heat pumps. Some older or very simple thermostats may not be able to control the reversing valve, which is how the heat pump switches from heating to cooling. If you have a dual fuel system, it needs to be able to manage this as well.
Some types of radiant heating systems have a voltage that is incompatible with some smart thermostats. A third party integration kit may solve some compatibility issues.
At Lakeland One Hour AC & Heating, we’ll work with you to find a smart, programmable or manual thermostat that’s compatible with your HVAC system. In some cases, we can make adjustments, such as adding a C-wire if you need one.
Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings
Programmable and smart thermostats can save you money by making it easy to raise or lower the temperature when you don’t need as much heating or cooling. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, some programable thermostats may offer less energy savings when used with heat pumps or radiant heat because those systems don’t benefit as much from adjusting the temperature.
However, there are now programable thermostats specifically for heat pumps that are more effective. In addition, you can get a thermostat that helps you make the right adjustments with your radiant heat to get both comfortable temperatures and savings.
If energy efficiency and saving money is a priority for you, look for smart or programable thermostats that have Energy Star certification. This government-backed program ensures that these energy efficient thermstats will offer the greatest savings.
With smart, programmable or manual thermostats, you can save money and energy by raising the temperature even two or three degrees in summer and lowering it the same amount in winter. Recommended temperatures for savings are 68 in winter and 78 or higher in summer.
Wi-Fi Connectivity and Remote Control
For smart thermostats, you need a strong, reliable wireless signal. Wi-fi thermostats also need to be in a location where that signal is unimpeded. Remote controls are available for both regular and wi-fi thermostats.
We suggest remote control as an additional aid to make it easier to adjust the temperature and keep costs down.
Budget Considerations
While manual, programmable or even wi-fi thermostats aren’t the most expensive part of your HVAC system, cost and installation can vary widely depending on the type that you get and how much work needs to be done to ensure its compatibility. For example, whether you need to move it, wiring issues or the type of mount needed can all affect installation costs.
We’ll work with you to identify the solutions that are in line with your budget. Remember that thermostats that cost more at the outset can save you money in the long run.
Get Help From Lakeland One Hour AC & Heating
When you’re ready to install a new thermostat, get in touch with us at Lakeland One Hour AC & Heating. You can count on us to be professional and prompt. We’re on time or you don’t pay a dime. We’ll offer expert advice and service to find the solution that will keep you comfortable all year round.