Room Thermostats Control Your HVAC System and Can Make or Break Your Utility Bills
Modern technology has brought some new players to the thermostatic control playing field in recent years.
This condensed guide will help steer you in the right direction and avoid costly, long-term mistakes...
You have five primary choices today: 1) Mechanical thermostats.
These are the devices many of us grew up with.
They are old fashioned by today's standards but still popular simply because they are so easy to change out and affordable.
Or are they? Being mechanical in nature, they cannot be "programmed" and are simply not very accurate.
They operate by using a tempered steel, temperature-sensitive coil which is attached to a mercury-filled glass vial.
This acts as a switch, or "mechanical thermometer", which then sends electric current to activate your HVAC system based on your settings.
2) Non-programmable digital thermostats.
These are more modern and much more accurate than the mechanical units.
They perform the same basic function of turning your HVAC system on and off, but do so electronically.
They use an electronic sensor and microprocessor to compare temperature readings to the desired setting.
The comparison to the mechanical devices is similar to comparing an electronic alarm clock to a wind-up model...
Better temperature setting accuracy equates to better control over your power consumption, which should result in some energy savings.
3) Programmable digital thermostats.
Okay, now we're getting somewhere.
Compared to the basic digitals described above, this is like adding power windows, a moon roof, cruise control and a sports package to your basic automobile...
Control, convenience, efficiency and flexibility.
Now you've basically added a "brain" (computer chip) to your digital unit so that you can control it and tell it what to do and when to do it (pre-program).
No more forgetting to adjust your heating or air conditioning when you leave for work or go to bed.
Doing this just a handful of times can have quite an impact on your energy bills.
And even if you're one of the lucky ones who can afford the higher bills, there are still three things to consider: waste, guilt and going green...
Higher mileage Running your HVAC system continuously, whether you're home to enjoy the climate or not, naturally leads to higher maintenance and replacement costs over time.
Just like with your vehicle, the more miles you put on it, the more visits to the mechanic and the shorter the life-span.
Options 4 and 5 These would be wireless thermostats and internet thermostats (Wi-Fi).
Now we're really talking high-tech and the ultimate control.
As such, it's appropriate to devote a little more time online to get a better understanding regarding these new-style room thermostats.
To dig deeper and learn about them, and other options, please visit our site below.
Then, after a little evaluation, you'll be well on your way to a smart buying decision...
This condensed guide will help steer you in the right direction and avoid costly, long-term mistakes...
You have five primary choices today: 1) Mechanical thermostats.
These are the devices many of us grew up with.
They are old fashioned by today's standards but still popular simply because they are so easy to change out and affordable.
Or are they? Being mechanical in nature, they cannot be "programmed" and are simply not very accurate.
They operate by using a tempered steel, temperature-sensitive coil which is attached to a mercury-filled glass vial.
This acts as a switch, or "mechanical thermometer", which then sends electric current to activate your HVAC system based on your settings.
2) Non-programmable digital thermostats.
These are more modern and much more accurate than the mechanical units.
They perform the same basic function of turning your HVAC system on and off, but do so electronically.
They use an electronic sensor and microprocessor to compare temperature readings to the desired setting.
The comparison to the mechanical devices is similar to comparing an electronic alarm clock to a wind-up model...
Better temperature setting accuracy equates to better control over your power consumption, which should result in some energy savings.
3) Programmable digital thermostats.
Okay, now we're getting somewhere.
Compared to the basic digitals described above, this is like adding power windows, a moon roof, cruise control and a sports package to your basic automobile...
Control, convenience, efficiency and flexibility.
Now you've basically added a "brain" (computer chip) to your digital unit so that you can control it and tell it what to do and when to do it (pre-program).
No more forgetting to adjust your heating or air conditioning when you leave for work or go to bed.
Doing this just a handful of times can have quite an impact on your energy bills.
And even if you're one of the lucky ones who can afford the higher bills, there are still three things to consider: waste, guilt and going green...
Higher mileage Running your HVAC system continuously, whether you're home to enjoy the climate or not, naturally leads to higher maintenance and replacement costs over time.
Just like with your vehicle, the more miles you put on it, the more visits to the mechanic and the shorter the life-span.
Options 4 and 5 These would be wireless thermostats and internet thermostats (Wi-Fi).
Now we're really talking high-tech and the ultimate control.
As such, it's appropriate to devote a little more time online to get a better understanding regarding these new-style room thermostats.
To dig deeper and learn about them, and other options, please visit our site below.
Then, after a little evaluation, you'll be well on your way to a smart buying decision...
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