Is There an Ideal Thermostat for Energy Efficiency?

The right thermostat will save you money on your utility bills. Choosing the wrong one for your system will have the opposite effect, and that is the last thing you want to face after paying for repairs or an upgrade. HVAC contractors in Bridgeport, CT receive this question frequently, and yes, you must consider thermostats carefully to enjoy their energy savings. Here are three tips on finding the right thermostat for your home:

• Leave technical stuff to contractors: Thermostat compatibility depends on voltage and whether you have a one-stage or two-stage system. Most new systems are low voltage, so modern thermostats will work with them. However, if a thermostat regulates speed of the blower for temperature control, that will not work with a one-stage system that operates at full capacity or not at all. Before you start looking at that cool smart thermostat that you can monitor with your iPhone from the office, clarify these details with your contractor. There is a good chance that you could spend a lot of money on something that does not work if you do not confirm details.
• Know the types: There are three types of thermostats—manual, programmable and smart. The manual ones are economical to install, but you cannot program them. They maintain a fixed temperature, which may not necessarily lead to utility savings. Programmable thermostats heat or cool homes at different intervals during the day. You can save money with them because they will heat or cool less while you are not home, and then turn up the blowers when you are home. Smart thermostats are wi-fi enabled to be operated from a smart phone, computer or tablet. While you can forget to change a program, having a smart thermostat allows you to adjust your home’s temperature when you are away.
• Buy what you will use: None of these features benefit you if you will not use them. If you do not anticipate checking your indoor temperature remotely, then you are likely better off with a programmable thermostat. Many people are fix-it-and-forget-it types and would rather run one program during the summer and a different one in the winter. On the same note, if you would rather not bother with programming and prefer to take an economical route, you might be better off with a manual thermostat.

If you are upgrading your HVAC system, change your thermostat as well. An older thermostat rarely makes the most of energy savings from the new cleaner, more efficient systems. Also, if your system is more than 10 years old, you will likely be limited to programmable or manual options, which can be disappointing if you desire a smart system. Ask an HVAC contractor if you need assistance with upgrading for energy savings.

BLM Refrigeration Heating & Air Conditioning are experienced HVAC contractors in Bridgeport, CT. Contact us today if it is time to upgrade your HVAC system or thermostat. We are available for free installation quotes, and look forward to helping you soon!

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