Programmable Thermostat Vs Smart Thermostat – Choosing the Right Option

When it comes to choosing the right thermostat, homeowners have many options. Programmable and smart thermostats offer convenience, energy efficiency, and more.

If you value cost and energy savings, a programmable thermostat is the best option. These thermostats allow you to schedule your home’s temperature for a certain time during the week so that your heating and cooling systems aren’t used when no one is home.

Cost

While a smart thermostat may cost more upfront than a traditional dial-style or digital model, they offer many advantages. These innovative models often include features such as voice control, mobile app access and zoning capabilities. Some even monitor the weather to predict energy usage.

In addition, a smart thermostat can help homeowners save money by setting temperatures to run on a schedule, such as lowering the temperature during the day while the home is unoccupied and raising it an hour before occupants wake up. This also helps reduce energy use during the night, when a cooler temperature is more conducive to sleep.

Both options can save money, but the right choice depends on a variety of factors, including lifestyle compatibility and technical requirements. Hutchinson can help you weigh these factors and make a decision that will meet your immediate needs and set you up for long-term savings. Moreover, we can ensure your new thermostat is compatible with your existing HVAC system.

Convenience

If you prefer to be able to control your thermostat remotely, or have a particular comfort preference such as temperature zoning, a smart thermostat may be the right choice for you. These units also offer advanced features like air quality monitoring and machine learning to enhance your experience with your HVAC system while boosting energy savings.

However, if you’re not tech-savvy and find the complexity of a smart thermostat daunting, a programmable model might be a more suitable option. These models are often more affordable and easier to program, despite lacking the advanced features found in smart thermostats.

Standard programmable thermostats can save you a significant amount of money on your energy bills, but only if you use them correctly. Sadly, research shows that most homeowners don’t properly use their programmable thermostats, either forgetting to set their schedule or using the home function to override it. The good news is that smart thermostats have a built-in reminder function to make sure your program is running the way you want it to!

Energy Efficiency

Regardless of the type you choose, a thermostat that is properly regulated and adjusted will help cut your energy costs. But a smart thermostat can offer you additional savings with features like geofencing and remote access.

Many models have multiple weekly programs that operate on a 7-day week or split 5-2 or 5-1-1, making it easy to find the right fit for your home. Some also have WiFi capabilities so you can change your schedule remotely, a convenient feature if you know that you’ll be coming home early one night or if your flight is delayed on the way back from vacation.

According to real-world data, a smart thermostat that meets Energy Star criteria saves most homeowners about 8 percent on their energy bills. This number will likely be lower in areas with temperate climates and lower utility prices. However, a manual thermostat can save you energy as well if you are diligent about resetting it every time you leave the house or wake up.

Installation

Programmable thermostats are a solid choice for families with set weekly routines who value energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. They allow you to pre-determine a schedule that automatically adjusts the temperature of your home on weekdays and weekends to ensure it is not running unnecessarily.

Smart thermostats offer a number of convenience and energy-saving features that set them apart from their non-programmable counterparts. These include Wi-Fi connectivity, so you can access your thermostat from a smartphone app to monitor and change its settings. Smart thermostats are also designed to learn your heating and cooling habits over time, creating a schedule that maximizes energy efficiency.

Regardless of which type of thermostat you choose, it’s important to have your new device professionally installed by a trained technician. This will ensure that the thermostat is compatible with your home’s HVAC system and that it can communicate effectively to achieve optimal energy savings. Call Poston Brothers today to learn more about the different types of thermostats or to schedule your installation!