Save Some Green & Stay Green at Home with a New Thermostat!
Summer is just around the corner. Once it arrives, so will the dreaded high energy bills that come with blasting the AC to stay cool during the year’s hottest months. Being eco-friendly and staying comfortable at home may seem like two clashing ideas, but there are ways to achieve both goals.
A new thermostat is just the ticket to start making the house greener without sacrificing comfort. With several models and designs to choose from, there’s a thermostat out there for every home. Keep reading to learn more about new thermostats and how they can make the home greener before St. Paddy’s Day arrives!
What’s the Difference? Digital vs Smart Thermostats
There’s often confusion between digital and Smart thermostats, and for a good reason, both types of thermostats typically have a digital screen. However, there are plenty of differences between the two models.
Digital Thermostats
When searching for “digital thermostats” online, don’t be shocked if the term “programmable thermostat” springs up. Digital and programmable thermostats generally are used synonymously, and they may even be used together to form the proper programmable digital thermostat.
Programmable digital thermostats are designed to allow the temperatures in a home to be pre-determined on a schedule. Some higher-end digital thermostats allow homeowners to split their desired temperatures between weekdays and weekends, with unique schedules set for both. The desired temperature is automatically achieved by the constant regulation of the thermostat.
Digital thermostats tend to be more affordable than smart thermostats, but ultimately they work to achieve the same goal of regulating temperature in the home.
Smart Thermostat
Smart thermostats are an intuitive upgrade to the traditional digital thermostat. They come with more bells and whistles, like wi-fi connection and app-controls that can be controlled from a smartphone.
The main benefit of smart thermostats is their learning ability. Smart thermostats track monthly energy use in a home and can forecast and adjust to the data. Smart thermostats will learn the heating and cooling patterns of the home’s occupants as temperatures are manually changed through the day and automatically begin implementing those patterns over time. They can monitor the effectiveness of the home’s heating and cooling systems, too.
Smart thermostats come in a range of prices based on the unit’s connectivity, size, and other special features. Both smart and digital thermostats can save up to 20% on a home’s heating bill.
How Do Smart Thermostats Work?
Smart thermostats work using a three-fold connectivity system. One part of the system is directly connected to the HVAC system of the home, the second part is the thermostat unit itself, and the third is the app-controls used on a smart device. Signals from each piece alert the system when temperature changes are detected or desired, and the smart thermostat will trigger the temperature change in the heating or cooling system.
Smart thermostats are quickly growing in popularity due to their connectivity features. The ability for Smart Thermostats to be accessed away from home and to automatically track data depends on internet access. Without internet access, smart thermostat features won’t work.
Common Eco-Friendly Features
- Split Schedules: Many digital programmable thermostats and most smart thermostats allow split scheduled programming in thermostats. Common variations include a setting for weekday temperature controls separated from weekend controls.
- Wi-Fi Connection: Smart thermostats connect to wi-fi to work. This allows them to learn the habits of the home and heat and cool the building only when necessary, saving energy and money.
- Learning Features: Smart thermostats can learn the habits of a home and use those habits to track where changes can and should be made. For example, if it notices a frequent temperature change to a lower degree towards bedtime, the thermostat will start automatically adjusting to the desired temperature.
- Maintenance Reminders: Thermostats can be expensive to replace, and so are the heating and cooling systems they connect to. Smart thermostats can alert homeowners when maintenance is required. A well-maintained HVAC system runs more efficiently and is better for the environment.
Investing in a new thermostat can make the home a more comfortable, greener place before spring arrives and the leprechauns descend to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day!
About Wolfgang’s Cooling & Heating
The Tempe community has been receiving excellent HVAC service from Wolfgang’s Cooling & Heating team since 1982. The HVAC demands of Arizona are the specialty of their highly-trained technicians. Wolfgang’s Cooling & Heating knows the importance of having a well-running AC system in Arizona, and they’ll be there for all HVAC needs, from emergencies to maintenance! Call today for expert AC services in Tempe.
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