If you currently have an older style manual thermostat in your home, you can benefit greatly by upgrading to a programmable thermostat. While there are many different ways to enhance the performance of your HVAC system, switching to a programmable thermostat is one of the easiest and least expensive improvements you can make.
Choosing the right programmable thermostat for your home can be easier said than done, as there are a number of factors that you need to consider. To help you narrow your selection, here are some useful pointers to keep in mind when browsin
g through the various options for programmable thermostats:
Choose a thermostat that is compatible with your HVAC system and home.
Check out your equipment to determine if you have a heat pump, boiler, furnace, or electric baseboard. Some of this equipment may require that you have a special type of programmable thermostat, and your HVAC contractor can help you to make this determination.
Consider your schedule.
Does your home frequently sit empty during the day while you are at the office? Having the ability to program your thermostat to maintain a comfortable temperature when you are at home but conserve energy while you are away can offer significant savings in terms of dollars and energy output.
There are three basic types of day combinations that exist for thermostats: 5-2, 5-1-1, and 7 day programming capabilities. Think about your schedule and how it impacts your heating and cooling needs throughout the day.
Determine how technologically advanced you want your thermostat to be.
There are a number of smart thermostats on the market today, which offer both a good looking design and the capability to manage your thermostat remotely from your smartphone. These smart thermostats learn your schedule and your ideal comfort level within the home and automatically adjust the temperature accordingly.
On the downside, the more bells and whistles that your thermostat offers, the increased potential it has to malfunction.
To learn more about options for your programmable thermostat, please contact us at Hansberger Refrigeration and Electric Co., serving the Yuma area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Yuma, Arizona about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about programmable thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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