Five Things You Should Know about Your Thermostat

Here are five things you should know about your thermostat

Let’s take a little time to talk about the “brains” behind your HVAC system – your thermostat. If bills seem high, if your system isn’t kicking on at the right time, or more, it could very likely be a problem with your thermostat. On the flipside, a properly installed and matched thermostat can have money-saving and comfort benefits.

Do you have questions about thermostats? Here are some of our answers to your thermostat questions.

• Are thermostats universal?
  No. Unfortunately, thermostats are not universal. You have to make sure that your thermostat is correctly matched with the type of system you have in your home. For example, if you have a two-stage heating and cooling system, you are going to need a thermostat that is compatible with two-stage equipment.
• What’s the difference between programmable and non-programmable thermostats?
  Well, a non-programmable thermostat is probably what you think of when it comes to thermostats. With these models, you set a temperature that your system will reach – regardless of date or time. Programmable thermostats are becoming more and more popular. with these models, you can set a comfort schedule. So, for example, if you work from 9 to 5 during the weekdays, you can set a temperature lower (during the winder) or higher (during the summer) than your comfort target during those hours and days to maximize energy efficiency and reduce utility bills.
• How can my thermostat save money?
  Like we said above, programmable thermostats can be a great way to save money. With these models, you can maximize efficiency energy use by setting a schedule that allows your equipment to run only when you really need the heating or cooling power. If your equipment has to run for less time, you will see lower utility bills.
• How can I tell if my thermostat is working properly?
  If you notice changes in operation (like equipment never shutting off, high utility bills, equipment never turning on, etc.) there could be a problem with your thermostat. It could be sending the wrong signals to your equipment or not registering the correct temperature from inside your home. Either way, you should switch off your equipment and call a local heating and air conditioning contractor so they can diagnose the problem.
• How do you properly set a thermostat?
  This will depend on the type of thermostat you have. For example, you shouldn’t frequently change the temperature setting of your non-programmable thermostat. By contrast, different temperature settings are common with programmable models because you set your comfort schedule (although you are not manually changing the settings frequently). When your thermostat/equipment is installed, make sure you talk to your contractor about proper thermostat settings and usage. Also, it doesn’t hurt to peak at the user manual.

What else do you want to know about thermostats? Do you have a programmable or non-programmable model? If you have more questions, you can always turn to your local HVAC contractor.

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