Upgrading your home’s thermostat can lead to greater energy efficiency, which will save you money. But before you go shopping, follow these three simple tips for upgrading your thermostat:

Understand Your HVAC System

Save yourself a headache at the home-improvement store by first educating yourself about your HVAC system. Different types of HVAC systems require different types of thermostats. In general, there are five types of thermostats:

• Single-stage heating or cooling thermostats are made for HVAC systems that contain separate heating and air conditioning units.
• Two-stage/multistage thermostats work with HVAC systems with multiple speed settings.
• Zoned HVAC thermostats are designed for systems that allow for individual heating and cooling areas within one HVAC system.
• 24mV thermostats are found in homes with a fireplace, wall or floor furnace.
• Direct line voltage thermostats are most common in older homes with HVAC systems that use 110v or 240v direct current power.

Digital Versus Manual

Thermostats are generally available in two categories: manual and digital, programmable varieties. Typically, upgrading your thermostat from manual to digital gives you more control over your HVAC systems. Manual thermostats require you to change the temperature by hand, while digital models can be pre-programmed. This allows you conserve energy when you are not home. Automatic temperature adjustments can save you as much as 30 percent on heating and cooling costs.

Keep An Energy Journal

Before upgrading your thermostat, keep an energy journal. Record how often you change the temperature. Do you set different temperatures at night or on the weekends? Understanding your adjustment needs can help you choose the ideal features. Some thermostats allow you to program different profiles on the weekends versus the week days. Others allow you to program different settings for day and nighttime, while others automatically adjust to seasonal heating and cooling needs.

For more tips for upgrading your thermostat, contact the experts at Smoky Mountain Heating & Air.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about upgrading your thermostat and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Smoky Mountain Heating & Air services Asheville, North Carolina and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!