Your thermostat is the “brain” of your home’s heating and cooling systems. When a thermostat is accurate and efficient, it improves comfort and saves money by ensuring you spend more time at your desired temperatures.
Let’s look at some of the most common thermostat types and what they offer:
Mechanical Thermostat
Mechanical thermostats are the most conventional kind of thermostat. They have been around for a long time and are used in a wide range of buildings. They are simple to use, less likely to experience errors, and can usually be fixed easily if problems arise. However, they can be imprecise: Actual temperatures fall within five degrees of the goal you set.
You should get this thermostat if:
- You have a smaller property that does not usually take long to heat up or cool down.
- You do not need your indoor temperatures to be exactly what you set on the control.
Electronic Thermostat
An electronic thermostat is far more precise than its mechanical counterparts and can usually be relied on to deliver temperatures within one degree of the target temperature you set. Because they are more precise, they often lower energy usage compared to mechanical thermostats. That said, if their internal sensors stop working, the entire unit usually needs to be replaced.
You should get this thermostat if:
- You need precision in terms of reaching the exact temperature you set as fast as possible.
- You want to achieve lower total cost of ownership despite a slightly higher upfront cost.
Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats are popular in larger homes. They are ideal for those who know they desire different temperatures at specific times – warming up just before you return from work, for example. With additional sensors, they can provide a custom temperature for specific areas of the house.
You should get this thermostat if:
- You have a set schedule calling for different temperatures at different times.
- You have many housemates who each wish to enjoy different temperatures.
- You want to save money by reducing HVAC cycles while outside the home.
Non-Programmable Thermostat
A non-programmable thermostat is any type of thermostat that doesn’t support programming for different temperatures at different times or locations. Most mechanical thermostats are non-programmable.
You should get this thermostat if:
- You want a simple, “no fuss” experience.
- You frequently turn your thermostat off.
- You want the most affordable upfront purchase.
Call us to schedule a free in-home estimate with one of our HVAC professionals today!