How to Choose the Right Thermostat?

| Updated on March 27, 2024

If you want to increase your comfort and reduce your energy bills by up to one-third, installing a new generation of the thermostat is the most straightforward approach. If your thermostat is not working, this is time to buy a smart model. It is now possible to adjust and personalize your home’s temperature whenever you want using smart thermostat settings. With these devices, convenience and efficiency go hand in hand, as you’ll spend less money and get more out of your heater. 

Types of Thermostats

Smart Thermostats

A smart or learning thermostat can learn your schedule and preferences over time, which might benefit you. As soon as you leave the room, they automatically lower the temperature and keep it that way throughout the day, resulting in lower utility bills. Wi-Fi is commonly used to control them, so any tablet, phone, or computer in the house may be used as a remote control. 

Remote Energy Management Thermostats

 

The “smart” function distinguishes this model from the traditional ones. With smart thermostats, you can adjust your house temperature from anywhere. You’re still utilizing a personal electronic gadget instead of a mechanical or digital wall-mounted dial. 

Digital Non-programmable Thermostats

Probably the most popular thermostat on the market right now. A wall-mounted thermostat with an LCD screen for digital readings. Because of its ease of use, it may still be a good option for those who like to manage their temperature manually but prefer something more convenient than a mechanical thermostat. 

Mechanical Thermostats

The traditional mechanical thermostat has a dial or tab. It comes with no frills; it maintains the set temperature and hangs on the wall. 

How do I Know What Type is Best for Me?

The thermostat you choose depends on your lifestyle and demands and the schedules of everyone in your home. 

Smart thermostats are ideal for those with a smart home device ecosystem. However, this isn’t the case for most people, and the functions offered don’t provide much value if you don’t use Amazon Alexa or Google Home already. In some circumstances, the upfront expense, which may reach the hundreds, isn’t worth it. 

For the most part, digital programmable thermostats are ideal. They can save you money and make your home more comfortable by decreasing the temperature at night or while you are gone if you and your family have a regular routine (such as typical work and school schedules that leave your home vacant in the afternoon most days). However, if your schedule changes frequently, this programmability isn’t very useful since you’ll have to control the thermostat manually. 

Those on a tight budget can’t go wrong with digital manual thermostats, which are ideal for those with hectic schedules. 

Do I Have the Right Thermostat for My Home?

Your thermostat preferences and your home’s heating and cooling system will influence the type of thermostat you require. 

When shopping for a thermostat, keep these pointers in mind:

Understand Your Equipment and Its Wiring

This is perhaps the most critical step on the list. HVAC systems are not compatible with all thermostats.

For example, certain smart thermostats can only be used with certain types of furnaces and air conditioners. Others are designed to monitor heat pumps or multi-stage heating and cooling systems. 

It’s best to know your home’s heating and cooling systems before you are thinking of buying a thermostat! 

Take into consideration the complexity and sophistication of any heating and air-conditioning systems you have. 

A good example of a zoned heating system alters the temperature of certain rooms at predetermined intervals of time. You will likely require a programmed or smart thermostat if you have one of these. 

Take a look at your thermostat’s wiring if you already have one installed. Whether or not your house can accommodate a smart thermostat depends on this. 

In order to power screens and handle Wi-Fi connections, newer thermostats generally require what’s called a common cable (C wire). 

Determining Compatibility

What sort of thermostat would you prefer to have in your house in a perfect world? Will a thermostat with timers function? 

The cost of a new thermostat might be a major consideration for many households. 

Generally speaking, programmable thermostats are less expensive than smart thermostats. 

Some thermostat characteristics could possibly appeal to your particular needs. These include reminders for air filter replacements, automated temperature adjustments, digital displays, color and size, and geo-fencing. 

Most of the Time, These Qualities are a Matter of Personal Choice! 

Don’t forget to consider your daily routines at home and work. If so, how much time do you spend outside of the house? Alternatively, do you have an ever-changing timetable? Depending on your responses to these questions, you may decide how automated your system should be. 

Of course, compatibility issues might sway your decision. Before purchasing a thermostat, be sure it is compatible with your heating and cooling system. 

You may find this information online or by calling HVAC experts. 

Become Familiar with the Procedure for Installation

Depending on your skill level, you may or may not be able to mount your new thermostat independently. Thermostats from certain manufacturers come with easy-to-follow installation guides and user manuals. 

Programmable, non-WiFi thermostats may also be easy to set up. If you’re not sure how to wire a smart model, you may require the help of an expert. 

Look over all the packaging to identify which method you’ll need to take. Even if you do the installation yourself, a professional should be involved, especially when working with a smart thermostat. 

Install your thermostat on an inside wall, not an external one, for this reason. Ensure it isn’t near any windows or vents that might be a direct heat source. 

What sort of thermostat do I need? After reading this post, I hope that you now know the answer to this question. 

Your home’s HVAC system will significantly impact the type of thermostat you select. A few thermostats are only compatible with a small number of HVAC systems. 

When choosing a thermostat for your house, your own preferences and budget are important considerations. 

Now that we know what to anticipate from the various types of thermostats, the decision is ultimately up to you. When you’re away from home, do you worry about the temperature? Is the air conditioning still running, or would you want to raise the heat a notch before you arrive home? Or, you may have forgotten to turn it off? You can make all these changes remotely if you have a smart thermostat.





Muskan Saini

Social Media and Tech Expert


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