There is one very common misconception when it comes to home heating systems and that is that the thermostat can only be replaced on a like-for-like basis. In other words, thermostats are designed for the system they are connected to. That is not true. Thermostats are simply a remote, temperature-controlled on/off switch connected to your furnace, either by a wire or, as is now more common, wirelessly. This means that you don’t have to have a new HVAC unit if you want to upgrade your thermostat.

Even in the last five years the way thermostats operate has changed, and with that change has come more accurate and efficient temperature control. Take note, if 70 degrees Fahrenheit is a standard room temperature, if you raise that temperature by just three degrees Fahrenheit, you have just increased your heating bill by nearly 10%. Does having an efficient thermostat now make more sense? As a general rule, every one degree rise in temperature equates to a 3.1% increase in your fuel bill.

Beyond that, old thermostats are often limited in their functionality and, more than anything, you have to manually program them and adjust them ‘in situ’. However, ‘that was then, and this is now.’ Today, thermostats come in two principal forms. The first is with a wireless Wi-Fi connection. This means that you can adjust your thermostat using your smartphone, tablet or other connected device. The joy of Wi-Fi thermostats is that it isn’t just a question of programming it to either come on or switch off, and you have one pre-determined temperature. Instead, you can program your furnace to adjust the heat and switch on and off as many times as you want, depending on the time of day.

A Wi-Fi-connected thermostat is great if you live in areas where you have to cope with serious sub-zero temperatures or tremendous heat in the summer. This type of thermostat doesn’t just mean your HVAC unit is either on or off, but you can program it to remain on, but at a more economic setting while you are out, and have it readjust half an hour before you are due to come home. Then, of course, if you have a change of plans and you want to go home earlier than usual, you can just use your phone to adjust the temperature there and then.

Beyond Wi-Fi thermostats, there are also smart thermostats, which ‘learn’ your habits and preferences and, after a while, can autonomously operate your HVAC unit not just for a few days, but throughout the whole year. Of course, one best not forget that as with so many other things in our household today, you can also control your thermostat vocally.
If you’re not sure if a new thermostat could save you money, or if you want to know more about the benefits of a Wi-Fi or ‘smart’ thermostat, contact us today and we’ll be glad to have a chat with you and answer all your question.