Your home’s thermostat is the interface between your heating, cooling, and other HVAC systems. The right thermostat choice can help you save money and enjoy greater comfort for many years. Let’s explore everything you should know before you pick a new thermostat.
Ensuring Compatibility
The industry encourages homeowners to get guidance from an experienced HVAC technician. One reason this is so important is compatibility. Not all thermostats work with all HVAC systems. Many thermostats, for instance, can’t adjust heat pumps appropriately, which will increase your costs. The most common HVAC systems in the U.S. require a direct-acting thermostat, but some need an indirect-acting unit instead. You need a thermostat that runs at the appropriate voltage for your system. Wiring is a consideration too. If you have an older home and thermostat, your technician may need to add new electrical installations like a C-wire or adapter.
Picking a Thermostat Type
When it comes to thermostats compatible with your system, you’ll have several choices. That includes analog thermostats and digital, programmable, and smart thermostats.
Analog and Digital
Analog thermostats control your heating and cooling mechanically. They’re the most basic form of thermostat available and tend to be somewhat less accurate due to the mechanical control. Digital thermostats are the more modern option. They are more precise and have an LCD rather than a fixed interface. Some homeowners prefer the aesthetic of analog thermostats. If you do, note that there are digital thermostats that look like the old-fashioned dial and lever thermostats.
Digital: Basic, Programmable, and Smart
There are three main categories of digital thermostats. Basic digital units are the most affordable and provide only essential functions. Programmable thermostats let you schedule them and often offer various profiles and modes for advanced adjustment. Smart thermostats are programmable thermostats with Wi-Fi capabilities. This allows them to connect to your home network and the internet for remote access and control. Many smart thermostats have additional advanced features that will help you save money and be more comfortable.
Integrating a Smart Thermostat With a Smart Home
A smart thermostat is a smart device in every sense. That means that it can communicate with other smart home devices. That makes it simple to have an ad hoc network for smart home automation. However, many consumers prefer a more structured approach to their smart homes. Often, this involves your smart devices connecting centrally through a smart hub. If you prefer a hub, it’s important to choose a thermostat that’s compatible with it. You also want one that takes full advantage of the services and resources that the hub offers.
Installation Location
The location of your current thermostat is likely the ideal spot for it. When installing a new thermostat, it’s easiest to install it in that same location. Make sure you’re choosing a unit that will fit in that location. If you want to move it, consider choosing a smart thermostat that supports remote sensors. With multiple remote temperature sensors, the physical location of the thermostat is no longer important. You can choose the most convenient spot instead.
Explore Rebates and Other Energy Incentives
If you want a programmable or smart thermostat, explore the rebates and other offers available to you. ENERGY STAR is a U.S. EPA program that certifies smart thermostats among other consumer products. Most energy incentives require that certification. You can check for rebates by zip code on the ENERGY STAR website. We also encourage checking with your local electricity provider. Many provide rebates, discounts, and other incentives.
Peak and Off-Peak Rates
Many utilities charge different rates based on the time of day and season. Thermostats that are rate-aware can adjust usage to save you money when rates go up. Some models let you program the peak and off-peak rates into the system. Other models can update this information automatically via the internet. If your provider supports this feature, it’s highly recommended for more power and convenience. It also helps reduce wear and tear on HVAC systems, meaning less need for furnace repairs and AC fixes.
Consider Local Demand Opt-In Programs
Utilities charge peak rates due to the higher costs of operating the grid during peak usage periods. It’s increasingly common for local utilities to offer demand opt-in programs. These programs require a smart thermostat. If you opt in, your provider can automatically adjust your thermostat by up to several degrees during peak periods. That helps them reduce the load on the grid. In return, you receive benefits, such as bill discounts.
If interested, check with your local utilities to see if they offer such programs. If they do, look at the thermostat compatibility list. Not all thermostats will be suitable for the program, and you’ll have to choose one that is.
Energy Savings
The scheduling that all programmable and smart thermostats support is the easiest way to save. Other features to consider include adaptive learning, geofencing, and energy monitoring.
Scheduling
The DOE recommends programmable thermostats for all homes because scheduling can save the average household up to 10% annually. To achieve those savings, lower or raise your normal setting by at least 7 degrees for at least eight hours. For many households, the best time to do this is when sleeping, at work, and at school.
Adaptive Learning
Using advanced algorithms and even artificial intelligence, many smart thermostats can learn. These features have gotten even more advanced due to cloud computing. Adaptive learning can help in several ways. One downside to automatic temperature adjustment is that an HVAC system uses more energy to achieve a temperature than to maintain it. Adaptive systems can optimize that adjustment period to minimize usage. Many systems can also monitor household behavior and adjust the schedule automatically to optimize it.
Geofencing
If you have a work schedule that changes often, thermostat scheduling may be inconvenient. In that case, consider geofencing instead. A geofencing thermostat establishes a virtual perimeter around the home. It also monitors household member location, such as through GPS. It can then adjust the settings automatically based on whether you’re home or not.
Energy Monitoring
Many smart thermostats monitor your energy usage and can even provide you with insights via reports. This helps you to know when and why your system is inefficient. You can then adjust behaviors to lower your costs. Another advantage is that a spike in energy usage is often the first sign of an HVAC problem. Energy monitoring thermostats can often alert you to high usage within hours and even minutes. That can help you avoid expensive repairs.
Install a New Thermostat in the Greater Denver Metro Area
High 5 Plumbing, Heating & Cooling is a trusted HVAC services and electrical company with locations in Denver, Golden, and Littleton, CO. Our team installs and services all thermostat brands and models. Our NATE-certified HVAC technicians install and service ductwork, furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, and ductless mini-splits. Our indoor air quality team installs and services air purifiers, ultraviolet lamps, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers. We have electricians available for inspections, installations, and repairs. That includes electrical panels, surge protection, and indoor and outdoor lighting. Our plumbers pipe and repipe gas, water, and sewer lines indoors and outdoors. We also specialize in kitchen and bathroom fixtures and tank and tankless water heaters. To schedule an appointment or have any questions, contact us today.
