Are you tired of constantly adjusting the temperature in your home? Are you looking for a more efficient and convenient way to control your HVAC system? If so, you may be considering upgrading to a smart or programmable thermostat. For those who have had their HVAC systems in their home for several years, you may not even be aware that there are now many innovative thermostat devices available.
Smart vs. Programmable Thermostat
Let’s start with what a smart thermostat is. If you have heard of smart homes, then this concept is probably already familiar to you. For the smart thermostat in particular, this is a device that can learn your temperature preferences and automatically adjust your home’s temperature based on your habits and the weather outside. It can be controlled remotely using a smartphone app, and at the same time, you can also integrate it with other smart home devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Home. There are also smart thermostats that use advanced sensors and algorithms to optimize your home’s energy efficiency. Why is this great? Well, it will ultimately save you money on your energy bills as it “smartly” determines how to generate the optimum temperature efficiently.
As for the programmable thermostat, this device allows you to set a schedule for your home’s temperature. You can program it to adjust the temperature based on your daily routine, so you can save energy when you’re away from home or asleep. Programmable thermostats can be digital or analog, and it may have different features depending on the model. After reading about smart thermostats, this does seem like a step down. However, this can also be the best type of thermostat for your needs and preferences. There are still many homeowners who are not comfortable with smart devices, or simply hate complicated devices. This would be a simpler alternative that still makes it easy for you to control the temperature of your home.
So, let us explore the pros and cons of each in order to help you choose. The advantage of smart thermostats is that they have advanced learning capabilities that allow them to adjust your home’s temperature based on your habits and the weather outside. Programmable thermostats, on the other hand, are limited to the schedule you set. But then the disadvantage of smart thermostat is that it may require professional installation, while programmable thermostats can typically be installed by the homeowner. Furthermore, smart thermostats are generally more expensive than programmable thermostats, but it is worth noting that it may offer more energy savings in the long run.
In addition to this, there are other factors that may affect your choice. Your HVAC system, for one, may not even be compatible with a specific type of thermostat. So, make sure to do your research before buying. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your unique needs and preferences and of course, your budget. So, take some time to consider your options and choose the thermostat that’s right for your home!
