Your thermostat serves as the central control system for all your heating, cooling and indoor air quality needs. If you’re purchasing a new thermostat for your Sanford, Florida home, there’s a lot to think about. The average thermostat will last for about 10 years, so you should choose something that you’ll be happy to stick with.
If your current thermostat is older, it lacks
many of the handy features that come in today’s models. With a new thermostat, you can control your energy usage, program your thermostat to act differently based on the day of the week, and even check the weather. Follow these tips to navigate your options.
Determine Which Thermostats are Compatible
It’s important to make sure that your thermostat will work with your HVAC installation. There are several elements that you’ll need to consider to ensure that your new thermostat is compatible with the heating and cooling systems that you have in your home. You need to look at:
- Your system voltage: You have either a low voltage, high voltage, or millivolt system.
- Your HVAC system stages: This is either 1-stage, 2-stage, or variable speed.
- Your unit type: Make sure you know what systems you’re using, such as a gas or electric furnace, heat pump, or central air conditioner.
Keep this information on hand as you’re comparing thermostats to make sure that you’re only considering options that will work with what you have in your home. If you have any questions about the heating and cooling installations in your home, our knowledgeable HVAC technicians can help.
Define Your Home Comfort Preferences
What are your comfort goals for your new thermostat? Would you like a system that adjusts automatically to give you the ideal temperature based on the time of the day and day of the week? A programmable thermostat will allow you to input different settings for each period so that you can customize your comfort.
Consider your schedule carefully when you’re choosing a programmable thermostat. Some provide weekday and weekend settings only, while others let you input different settings every day of the week. You can also choose a Wi-Fi thermostat that you can control via a smartphone app. This allows you to make adjustments while you’re away from home, so the house is the perfect temperature when you walk in the door.
Evaluate Your Energy Efficiency Goals
If energy efficiency is a high priority, you may want to consider a learning thermostat. This is one of the latest innovations in HVAC technology, offering the most eco-friendly operation available. A learning thermostat tracks your habits and preferences and makes independent adjustments to provide optimum comfort while using as little energy as possible. These thermostats typically deliver energy reports so you can see exactly where you’re saving and how the thermostat is helping you lower your utility bills.
Consider Your Budget
There are many different thermostats on the market, from cheap options with manual settings to sleek touchscreen systems. Take a look at your budget to determine what price range you’re looking in. Keep in mind that investing in a higher quality thermostat will likely yield long-term energy savings. Programmable thermostats and smart systems both have features that will help you keep your energy expenses low.
Some other perks that high-end thermostats offer include:
- Weather reports
- Reminders for filter changes
- Reminders for HVAC maintenance
- Voice controllability
- Smart home integration
Consult an HVAC Professional
Once you’ve narrowed your options, it’s best to speak with a licensed HVAC technician about your choices. This professional can inspect your current systems and make sure you’re choosing a thermostat that will help you get the most out of every installation in your dwelling. Integration is key when you’re choosing a thermostat. If you have features like a whole-home dehumidifier, you need to make sure that you can optimize these as well.
Take control of your air conditioning like never before with a new thermostat. Contact Del-Air for help choosing and installing the best option.
