Replacing Thermostats

Thermostats range in price from $20 to over $250.  That’s a big difference and the right thermostat for you depends on your lifestyle. All-Seasons Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning is here to help you choose the right thermostat that has the features you need at the best possible price.

Here are factors to consider:

• Analog vs digital – Most thermostats today are digital and allow you to set the temperature to a specific number by pressing up or down arrows. If you live in an older home you might still have an analog thermostat that has a sliding lever or dial that you turn to change the setting.  Digital thermostats are more accurate and do not require calibrating.  If your older analog thermostat stops working it makes sense to switch to a digital one. A basic functioning digital thermostat is less expensive than a replacement analog model.

• Programmable vs non-programable – The price between a basic programmable thermostat is only a few dollars more than a non-programable one so lifestyle is the real factor to consider.  If you have a routine daily schedule such as a 9 to 5 work schedule a programmable thermostat makes a lot of sense. You can set them to be a specific temperature when your alarm goes off. Then when you normally leave for work you can set them for a different temperature because less cooling or heating is needed when no one is home.  Later in the day the thermostat will change back to your normal temperature so your home is comfortable when you return. Finally, they can automatically change the temperature to your preferred sleeping temperature when you normally go to bed. This automation can lower your heating and cooling expense. If on the other hand, you’re retired and don’t need to change the temperature throughout the day a non-programmable thermostat might be right for you. They are simple and straight forward; simply set it and forget it.

• Adaptive temperature change – With this feature a programmable thermostat “learns” how long it normally takes to go from one temperature to another to make sure it arrives at the desired temperature on time. For example, if the temperature is set for 75 while you’re at work and the program calls for 70 when you return at 6:00pm.  The thermostat will learn how long it takes to go from 75 to 70 and start cooling accordingly.  Without the smart feature you can set your programming to go to 70 at 5:15 and you’ll most likely be close.  Is this smart feature worth the extra expense?

• Wifi connectivity – Do you need to control your thermostat when you’re away from home? If your work schedule changes you can override your regular programming. Wifi control is a great feature for vacation homes.  You can set the temperature when you’re on the way and your second home will be comfortable when you arrive. 

• Other features – Automatically change from Heating to Cooling, reminders to change filters, limiting how hot or cold the thermostat can be set for (good for businesses), remote temperature sensors and more.

As you can see there are a lot of choices.  All-Seasons Comfort Heating and Air Conditioning can help you choose which ones are right for you.