You’ve probably heard that using a thermostat provides an easy opportunity to save money on your energy bills. But what kind of thermostat should you buy, and is it worth it to switch the model you already have?
Let’s take a look at some thermostat basics.
All thermostats control your heating or cooling system (or both) to manage air temperatures in your home. Basic thermostats are just that – they only allow manual adjustment of temperature.
Programmable thermostats take things a step further by adding a timer to the mix. Models vary in features (and therefore cost), with differences generally coming down to how much flexibility their programming options offer. Typical options include the following, ranging from least to most flexible:
Smart (Wi-Fi) thermostats often combine the features of programmable thermostats with the ability to access your heating and cooling systems remotely via your smart phone. Some smart thermostats will even estimate how long it will take reach your target temperature, so you can see how effective your climate control system really is, while others will allow you to see your energy consumption in real time, or even set a humidity level.
If you currently have a basic thermostat, upgrading from to a programmable or Wi-Fi thermostat is a smart move: by making it easy to match your indoor climate to your lifestyle, it could pay for itself in energy savings alone the first year you own it.
But saving money isn’t the only advantage that a programmable or smart thermostat provides. Consider these benefits:
As for choosing between programmable and smart thermostat options, that depends on your personal taste: if the convenience of controlling your heating and cooling system from a distance is important to you – for example, if you regularly spend time away from home or plan to install it in a vacation home – then a Wi-Fi thermostat is a no-brainer. If you spend most of your time at home and have a pretty set routine, a programmable thermostat is probably enough.
Whichever option you choose, a thermostat upgrade is a simple, convenient, and powerful way to manage the climate of your home and save money in the process. They’ll pay for themselves quickly and give you more control than ever over your heating equipment.
Take control of your home heating and cooling bills with expert thermostat installations in West Virginia and western Maryland from the experts at Roach Energy. Contact us today to learn more!
