If you’re using a traditional thermostat, it may be time for an upgrade! Older thermostats use outdated methods to detect the temperature in a room – methods that can start to fail over time and lead to poor HVAC performance. They are also more liable to break down or experience other problems over time.
If you aren’t yet using a programmable thermostat, there are many reasons to make the switch! These thermostats allow you to set daily schedules throughout the week for when your home should be cooled or heated – and by exactly how much. That means you no longer have to fiddle with dials on the thermostat yourself whenever you want a change. Here’s why this really matters.
Programmable Thermostats Save Money
One of the biggest benefits of a programmable thermostat is the money it can save on energy bills. By customizing the temperature, you can choose to turn the thermostat up only when it’s needed – in the mornings and evenings, when people are active in the house. Then the thermostat ensures that your HVAC system is less active when the house is empty or people are asleep. This also makes it easier to set a steady temperature for these times so the thermostat is cranked up too high or low, which can lead to an overworked system.
When the seasons change, you can also adjust temperature schedules as necessary to keep everything consistently comfortable while still saving as much energy as possible. While individual savings can vary, most houses can decrease their energy bills by a significant amount!
App Controls are Common
Today’s programmable thermostats like Nest or Ecobee are very smart and can connect to Wi-Fi and your smartphone. When your thermostat has an accompanying app, this allows you to set change the temperature to a specific level no matter where you are. The app also allows you to set various modes (such as vacation modes), get weather reports and much more.
You Can Receive Alerts and Advice
With a modern programmable thermostat connected to your phone, you can also set up additional services that help you manage your home heating and cooling. For example, an app can be set to provide alerts if the temperature reaches a certain level or the weather is turning nasty. These apps can also provide energy use records and recommendations on what changes you can make to save even more.
Proximity Sensors Can Increase Accuracy
Many smart thermostats also use proximity sensors. These help detect when there is activity in the house. When this activity is repeated frequently at specific times – such as people getting up and making breakfast – then the thermostat can recognize a pattern and start scheduling itself. That helps increase accuracy and means you don’t have to spend as much time with minute scheduling details throughout the week.
Interested in how a smarter thermostat could benefit your particular home or building? Contact Guaranteed Heating & Cooling today for your thermostat needs, and we will be happy to get you started or arrange an installation.