Are Programmable Thermostats Worth It? Let’s Find Out
If you are looking to control the temperature of your home, consider a programmable thermostat. With a good programmable thermostat, you can save $100 per year on energy bills, and some smart thermostat manufacturers claim the savings can soar to $200 or more. Before intelligent thermostats came into the market, non-connected, programmable thermostats were used to provide energy savings, and they still do today.
For many years, however, the problem has been that they have been difficult to program for the average consumer. This meant that a homeowner had to manually change the thermostat settings, which lead to inconsistencies and eventually escalated energy bills. Programmable thermostats are also referred to as smart thermostats because they are designed to control the temperature of your room or house through a series of programmed settings. And since these settings can kick in at different times of the day, you will eventually save on your energy bill in the long run.
Also, a device such as these can be linked with your home’s heating systems, and it will work through turning off/on the furnace when temperature tumbles or rises above the specified temperature. This means that the right temperature will be maintained all through the day so that you enjoy comfortable living conditions.
Attributes To Consider When Picking A Thermostat
When it comes to selecting a programmable thermostat for your home, there are numerous elements that you need to take into account. Here are a few aspects you should consider:
1. Type & Options
A majority of thermostats offer common programmable options that you could choose from as follows:
7-Day Model: This type of programmable thermostat is a perfect choice if your daily routine is continually changing. For instance, if you often have to come home late in a few cases, you should go for this thermostat type because you could easily input different temperatures for each day of the week.
5-2 Model: This thermostat lets you program the same temperature for two different phases. For instance, you could schedule a constant temperature from Monday all the way to Friday and a different temperature for the weekend.
5-1-1 Model: This type of thermostat is similar to the model mentioned above only that it provides a different schedule for the weekend.
Smart Model: This type learns your behavior and determines the best times to regulate the cooling and heating to meet your schedule. So, if you get home at 6 PM, it might keep your home slightly warmer (or colder depending on the season) all day until about 5 PM and then start working to get to your desired temperature when you are home. They can even tell when you are away, so if you don’t come back for a few days, it will go into economy mode and use less energy. They can be difficult to install, so you may want to have one of our residential AC service techs help you do it.
2. Compatibility
The Equipment: When it comes to selecting a thermostat, you will need to choose one that correctly links to your heating and cooling systems. Most thermostat models will work correctly with an array of furnace and AC systems. You will also need to establish the number of stages by looking at your old thermostat or the manual for your equipment. The more stages your thermostat has, the better its efficiency, and based on your cooling and heating stages, you should get a thermostat with a matching number of stages.
Your House: Position your thermostat where you can conveniently access it.
3. Remote Access
When choosing a programmable thermostat, you need to determine whether there is the need for you to monitor the temperature of your home when you are not around. If you need to remote control your thermostat, you will need to ensure that your gadget is compatible with your home’s communication setup, such as the landline phone or the high-speed internet through Wi-Fi.
4. Ease of Installation and Use
Another aspect to consider when buying a thermometer is how easy the gadget can be installed and used. You want a thermostat with which you can navigate between the various settings. You do not want to go the manual every time you need to adjust your thermostat settings or replace something. While some thermostat models are quite easy to install, it is best that you seek professional assistance if you need to do something that is more than a simple replacement.
Are Programmable Thermostats Worth It?
Yes, if you want to save a lot on your monthly energy bills without compromising your comfort. These gadgets have a track record of cutting down your energy bills effortlessly. Advanced smart thermostat models offer features ranging from keeping good track of your daily schedule to facilitating remote operation and alerting you when your cooling or heating system needs some attention. Here are some other reasons why programmable thermostats are worth every penny:
- Automatic temperature adjustment: Remembering to change your thermostat every time could add an unwanted task to your schedule, and you could quickly forget about it. Having a gadget that does all this for you will simplify your life while reducing energy consumption in your home.
- Lower energy bills: Irrespective of the programmable thermostat model you go for, you will end up saving a lot on your energy bills if you program and utilize the unit in the right manner. Maintaining constant temperature in your home when you are away uses more energy as opposed to adjusting it automatically for your absence or when you are asleep.
- Consistent temperature: Another reason why programmable thermostats are a worthy investment is that they can aid in maintaining the right, consistent temperature through your home. Rather than cranking your air conditioning unit on high when the heat wave is at its highest, your programmable thermostat will run at a constant level. And during the chilly winters, your heat can remain constant since it follows a pre-programmed temperature schedule.
- Optimizing your HVAC system: Before you can install a new HVAC system, most experts will have few recommendations to make before you can commit to such a considerable investment. If your HVAC is old or inefficient, pairing it with a smart thermostat could help it accomplish its tasks effectively.
Contact Icon Mechanical today to see how you might be able to save money on your energy bill.