Mastering Thermostat Basics: Your Guide to a Comfortable Home

It’s summer in Burlington, North Carolina and hot and humid days are here for the foreseeable future. Whether you’re trying to stay cool at home or at your office, your thermostat determines how your heating, air conditioning and ventilation (HVAC) system truly functions. Save money and make sure your HVAC system is running efficiently by understanding your thermostat.

Understanding Your Thermostat

1. Standard. A standard thermostat is a traditional device which allows you to manually adjust the temperature in your home as needed. These are often more simplistic and less expensive but allow more of your time and attention to ensure your home is staying at your ideal temperature.
2. Programmable. Programmable thermostats allow you to adjust the temperature for your heating and air conditioner based on the day or time. These are ideal if you’re going to be away from home for an extended period of time.
3. Smart. Smart thermostats, just like Smart TV’s and Smart phones, are created to learn about your unique cooling and heating needs. You can adjust your HVAC settings via your phone while you’re away. Many models can even “learn” your ideal temperatures based on habit and adjust them factoring in exterior weather conditions, too.

Setting Yourself Up for Success.

Once you identify what type of thermostat is right for you, making the most of it is the key.

Finding the Right Temperature. The million-dollar question remains, “What’s the right temperature for my home?” The answer is it depends. Many experts recommend an indoor temperature of around 72 degrees while you’re home and adjusting the temperature lower or higher while you’re away.  We do not recommend constantly adjust the thermostat while you’re home, which brings us to our next point, creating a schedule.

Setting a Schedule. A programmable or smart thermostat allow you to make the most of your money and energy efficiency. Simply make a schedule during the week while you know you’re going to be away at the office, school, or appointments in order to make your home slightly warmer in the summer or cooler in the winter allowing your unit time to rest, and less energy consumption too.

Learning the Features. Smart thermostat brands vary however each have their own unique features. Some of them “learn” your preferences over time and can automatically adjust according while others prefer you to remotely monitor them. We recommend studying the manual for each device and as always, we’re here to answer any of your questions.

Masting your thermostat is one small step in your heating and air conditioning journey that can save your money, keep you comfortable and allow you to take control of your homes comfort level.