The right thermostat is essential for maintaining your room temperature, thereby making it comfortable to stay indoors. There are so many options available in the market, and it can be a daunting task looking for the best one. We will look at the factors you need to consider when buying a smart thermostat.
To make it easy for you to buy, we have taken the time to review what we consider are some of the best thermostats in the market. You can check out the top five options here.
Smart Thermostat Guide
Consider the following when buying your smart thermostat.
- Power
Check the voltage and compatibility with your HVAC system. Smart thermostats have different power needs, although most are millivolt, 24V, and 110V or 240V. High Voltage smart thermostats are excellent for electric baseboard systems. Low voltage will work well with heat pumps, boilers, and air conditioners. Millivolts thermostats are an excellent addition to space heating.
- Non-Wifi Vs. Wifi Smart Thermostats
A Wifi thermostat allows you more control as you can do everything from your smart device, it may cost a little more, and if there is a downtime in your internet, you will not be able to use it.
Non-Wifi thermostats work just as well, so if you don’t mind not being able to monitor it from a smart device, then you can opt for it.
- Programming Aspect
There are smart thermostats that will allow for programming, thereby varying the temperature during the day. You can find that between 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., the temperature reading is 68 degrees. From 6 a.m. to 7.30 am, it goes up to 72 degrees. As the day gets warmer, it will reset itself to lower temperatures, and then back up when it starts to get cool again.
Some smart thermostats have the auto changeover switch, which allows it to switch between cooling and heating automatically.
- Design
There are many designs, including those with large LED displays which will make it easier to read the display any time of the day or night. The interface should also be simple to use.
Most smart thermostats allow for the voice control function. It will increase your level of comfort because you do not need to get up and key in what you require.
- Alert
Some smart thermostats will send you an alert when the AC filter needs changing.
- Geo-fencing Capabilities
Some smart thermostats will save you money by adjusting the temperature when you are not around. They do this by tracking your movements via your smartphone.
Some also allow you to set a perimeter so that it knows when you leave and return. It will then adjust itself accordingly. Others will learn your behavior and routine and create temperature schedules, without you needing to program it manually.
- Installation Method
Many of the smart thermostats come with detailed manuals which make them very easy to install. If you are in any doubt, it will not hurt to get the help of a technician.
Final Thoughts
The features you opt for when buying a smart thermostat depend on what you are looking for. We have shared with you things you could consider when purchasing one, but do note that it will have an impact on the final price. However, smart technology will make your life so much easier, and you will realize a saving with some of the apps you incorporate into your smart thermostat.
I really liked the part of your article that discussed the smart thermostat and how it can be installed to be controlled from your smartphones. I’ve recently learned how to use a smartphone for more things than just calling and texting, and I wondered how many more appliances can be used by it at home. If I can find an HVAC contractor in the area, I’ll ask for their assistance in setting this up for me and get them to teach me how to use it.