Written on: April 5, 2021
You probably know that using a thermostat can save you money on your energy bills if it’s used properly. But what kind of thermostat should you buy, and is it worth the money to switch the model you already have?
To answer that question, let’s take a look at some thermostat basics.
All thermostats track the air temperature in your home and control your boiler, furnace or A/C to keep air at your desired setting; basic thermostats only allow you to manually adjust that temperature.
A programmable thermostat does the same job as a basic thermostat model, but it adds a timer (or timers) to the equation. The features of programmable thermostats vary, with some models offering more flexibility when it comes to automated programming.
Typically, your programmable thermostat will offer one or more of the following modes:
A smart or Wi-Fi thermostat takes things to another level by doing most of the things a programmable thermostat can do while adding remote control functions. With a smart thermostat, you can control your HVAC systems while on vacation, for example, or control the heating system of a second home to prevent frozen pipes when cold weather strikes.
Some smart thermostats will even estimate how long it will take to reach your target temperature, so you plan ahead when returning from a weekend away; others will allow you to see your energy consumption in real-time, or even set a humidity level.
If you currently have a basic thermostat, upgrading from to a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat is a smart move: by making it easy to match your indoor climate to your lifestyle, it could pay for itself in energy savings alone the first year you own it.
But saving money isn’t the only advantage that a programmable or smart thermostat provides. Consider these benefits:
As for choosing between programmable and smart thermostat options, that depends on your personal taste: if the convenience of controlling your heating and cooling system from a distance is important to you – for example, if you regularly spend time away from home or plan to install it in a vacation home – then a Wi-Fi thermostat is a no-brainer. If you spend most of your time at home and have a pretty set routine, a programmable thermostat is probably enough.
Whichever option you choose, a thermostat upgrade is a simple, convenient, and powerful way to manage the climate of your home and save money in the process. They’ll pay for themselves quickly and give you more control than ever over your heating and cooling equipment.
Take control of your home heating and cooling bills with expert thermostat installations in the Hudson Valley from the experts at Downey Energy. Contact us today to learn more!
