Wondering if you could
benefit from an upgrade to your thermostat? Need more information to figure out
what type of thermostat is best for you?
As the master control
for the heating and cooling your Ann Arbor home, the thermostat is pretty important. But do you need anything
more than to simply be able to set the temperature? If you’re interested in
efficiency and saving some dollars on your electric bill, yes!
Learn the basic
features of four main types of thermostats available today so you can make the
ideal choice for your home.
Manual
These thermostats
feature a dial or switch you move manually to set your temperature. Nothing
digital on these guys! Because the technology used in these thermostats to
detect room temperature can be unreliable, manual thermostats aren’t the best
option for precisely managing temps in your home.
You won’t run into
many mechanical thermostats these days, except in homes that haven’t seen
updates in a while. They aren’t much less expensive than the next model up, and
because they aren’t too reliable, the savings may not be worth it.
Non-Programmable
One step up from the
manual thermostats, a non-programmable thermostat uses an easily readable
digital display to show you the current temperature, temperature setting, fan
setting, and HVAC setting (Heat, A/C, or Off).
These units are more
reliable than their manual predecessors, but if you set your system to
different temperatures throughout the day, you’ll have to remember to do that
on your own. This upgrade won’t cost you much and delivers on function and
accuracy.
Programmable
Take efficiency to the
next level with a programmable thermostat. There are a wide range of options
available with this type of thermostat, from simply setting different
temperatures during night and day to setting different temperatures for days of
the week or even different areas in your house!
With a range of
features also comes a range of prices. If you value maximum efficiency and
would like to save on your monthly energy bill, spending a little more on your
thermostat could definitely be worth it.
Wireless
Here
is where thermostats get really techy! Taking temperature control to the max,
wireless thermostats connect to your wireless network so you can make changes
to your settings remotely. If you’re suddenly called out of town, you can set
your house to a more economic temperature from the road.
The
access comes at a price, however, about ten times as much as your basic manual
thermostat. The added features are nice for efficiency, but if you don’t see
much use for the ability to change your settings when away from the house, the
upgrade might not benefit you much.
If
you’re looking for a new thermostat or are considering any upgrades to your heating and cooling in Ann Arbor, we’re
here to help. We can answer your questions, introduce you to new products,
provide installation services, and more. Give us a call today!
