The Importance Of Thermostats

08/05/2022

---

Protect your home and, more importantly, your family from extreme temperatures by installing a high-grade thermostat. It will result in greater energy efficiency, cost savings, and whole-home comfort. Keep reading to learn more about the key role thermostats play in home safety and comfort, as well as how to choose the right one for your home.

Home cooling and heating are only possible with thermostats. By offering maximum temperature control, these devices keep your home comfortable year-round while helping you achieve optimal energy efficiency.

This increased energy efficiency has both environmental and economic benefits. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that homeowners and renters can save up to 10% annually on energy bills by increasing or decreasing the thermostat setting by 7° or 10°F when they’re away or asleep.

How To Choose The Right Thermostat For Your Home

Choosing the rite thermostat for your home setup and temperature needs is important. Follow these three simple steps to determine which thermostat is best for you.

Step 1: Determine Which Type Of Thermostat You Want

Today’s thermostats are so advanced that they not only control temperature but can also monitor and control your energy consumption and play music. Some are even equipped with Amazon™ Alexa™ technology. There are many manufacturers and types of thermostats available. Before you start shopping, decide exactly what you’re looking for to narrow your search. Do you want something simple, high-tech, or somewhere in the middle?

Listed below are the four main types of thermostats. We’ve also included a few recommendations for thermostats that our clients prefer.

Manual: A manual thermostat features basic functions that allow you to change settings manually on the device. Manual thermostats have the cheapest upfront cost but produce higher monthly energy bills. They also offer the least accurate temperature control, sometimes reading five to ten degrees off. Some homeowners enjoy how simple manual thermostats are. Believe it or not, the Honeywell Round Manual Thermostat that was introduced in the 1950s is still produced today. It features a large digital readout and wifi capability.

Programmable: A programmable thermostat gives you more control over your home’s temperature by enabling you to set cooling schedules. You can schedule the temperature to increase a few degrees while you’re away to conserve energy and decrease again soon before you return so it’s comfortable the second you walk in the door. Programmable thermostats—like the Honeywell Programmable Thermostat—save you money on monthly energy bills by being more energy-efficient than their manual counterparts.

Smart: Smart thermostats have the same function as programmable thermostats but enable you to control them remotely from electronic devices. They also allow for optimal energy efficiency. This thermostat type has the highest upfront cost but saves the most money on monthly energy bills. Our customers recommend the Ecobee smart thermostats.

Communicating: The Carrier Infinity One Touch thermostat offers ultimate control over the temperature and humidity levels. As part of a complete, communicating Infinity® system, this smart control takes full advantage of the best technology Carrier has to offer. Taking your comfort well beyond temperature control, the Infinity System Control manages humidity levels, airflow, ventilation, and indoor air quality in up to eight cooling zones. You can control your home’s temperature from any location with a connected smartphone or tablet. This communicating thermostat is also compatible with Amazon™ Alexa™ technology.

Step 2: Find A Thermostat That’s Compatible With Your Heating & Cooling System

Your thermostat should:

• Match your AC system’s voltage
• Have an accurately sized space on the wall for installation. Since thermostats vary in size, we offer backplates in case your new thermostat is smaller than the one you’re replacing.
• Align with how many heating and cooling stages your system has (i.e. the number of speeds the system can run)
• Have the appropriate number of wires connected to it. More advanced thermostats require additional wires to operate every feature.
• Be compatible with any security, zoning, or wireless system that the old thermostat controlled.

Step 3: Select A Thermostat With Your Desired Features & Capabilities

Programmable and smart thermostats offer many features that allow you to customize programming options and control other HVAC products. Some of the features available are:

• Wifi for remote access
• Water sensor that alerts you of a water leak
• Daily and/or weekly scheduling
• Scheduling capabilities that differentiate between weekdays and weekends, as well as daytime and nighttime
• Fan control
• Color change based on mode (i.e. the screen lights up blue for cooling and orange for heating)
• Display photos
• Color changing screen, allowing you to match your thermostat backlit screen to your home’s color palette
• Wireless setup, allowing you to relocate the thermostat to a different location in your home
• ENERGY STAR® Certified technology
• Geofencing
• Large number display
• Amazon™ Alexa™ enabled
• Control with the correlating app and Apple Watch
• Sensors to place in hard-to-heat or hard-to-cool areas to operate the system with temperature averaging
• Built-in indoor air quality monitor
• Humidifier control
• Outdoor temperature readings
• 5-day forecast

How Long Do Thermostats Last?

Most digital thermostats last an average of ten years. However, with all the innovations in the industry, thermostats are often replaced before they reach the end of their life.

When To Replace Your Thermostat

Sometimes it’s hard to know when you should replace your thermostat. Anytime you replace your air conditioner or furnace is a good time to update your thermostat as well, given it’s the control center of your cooling and heating system.

If your air conditioner or furnace experiences issues, the thermostat may be to blame. Thermostats can fail for a number of reasons, including loose wires and dead batteries. If your air conditioner stops working, try these steps to get it back up and running. If the issue persists, call an Air-Rite Heating & Cooling technician to diagnose the problem and offer a solution.

Upgrade Your HVAC System With The Infinity Touch Control Thermostat

Looking to enhance your home’s heating and cooling capabilities? Consider upgrading to one of the Honeywell, Ecobee, or Carrier Infinity Touch thermostats we offer. Featuring wifi-enabled remote access, these devices allow you to manage everything from temperature to ventilation for up to eight zones. The Infinity Touch Control thermostat is the leader in hassle-free home temperature control.

As your trusted local HVAC contractor, Air-Rite Heating & Cooling has a team of experienced technicians who are equipped to install your thermostat of choice. We offer comprehensive services for additional HVAC-related issues—such as clogged air filters, dirty coils, and ignition problems. Contact us today to schedule an expert service or thermostat installation.

---