How often do you think about your thermostat? If it’s only when you feel hot or cold, then it’s time to cozy up to your thermostat and learn what it’s capable of—or if it’s time to trade it in for a newer model!
In many apartments, condos, and economical or older construction, you likely find a basic mechanical thermostat, or a single-setting digital model. If these are the thermostats you’re familiar with, you may be surprised and delighted by the climate-control devices now available.
Thermostats for Low-Tech Control Freaks
If levers and dials are your thing, and you have been known to threaten to break fingers if the set temperature deviates from an ideal 72º, then a traditional manual thermostat is perfect for you. It’s likely already installed in your residence, and it brings you back to the “good old days”—perhaps reminding you of high school or your first job.
For those wanting the same single control but something a little more modern and easy to read, basic digital thermostats have the same function but display that 72º mark more precisely.
These are also ideal for those who like to manually fine-tune the temperature throughout the day and are home most of the time (stay-at-home parents, freelancers, remote workers, retirees).
Thermostats for Energy-Conscious People on a Schedule
Digital programmable thermostats offer the option to automatically adjust the set temperature by time and/or day to work around your schedule. Want to save on energy during the day when no one’s home? Prefer one temperature for daytime and a cooler temp for sleeping at night?
It’s very likely you’ll find a programmable thermostat to fit your schedule—from simple to complex (and lots of options in between). Every day pretty much the same? A 1-week thermostat is adequate, and can still offer 4 different temperature settings throughout the day. 5-2-day thermostats give you weekday and weekend settings. Or choose a 5-1-1-day thermostat for weekend/Saturday/Sunday settings. Finally, 7-day thermostats offer ultimate control among programmables—if each Monday or Wednesday or (whatever day) is the same week-to-week but the weekdays (overall) differ, then daily control is what you’re looking for.
While most programmable thermostats have digital displays but physical buttons to control them, digital programmable touchscreen thermostats are available for a more modern experience.
Thermostats for Connected Cool (or Warm)
Want to override your programming before you walk in the door early from work? Need to cool off the guest room before the in-laws arrive while you’re shopping for dinner? Wireless thermostats allow you access settings via the internet whether you’re home or not, so you can make changes on the fly to accommodate the uncertainties of life. Wireless climate capabilities takes “remote control” to a whole new level.
Thermostats for Cutting-Edge Tech Geeks
If you wondered why it took so long for automated assistants like Siri, “Ok, Google,” and Cortana to hit the mainstream, then hi-tech learning thermostats will make you squeal with delight! Learning thermostats are both programmable and wifi-connected so they can be accessed remotely (via computer, tablet, or smartphone). But they take it to the next level by learning your habits and preferences, creating a custom temperature schedule based on your routines, designed to keep you comfortable and save you money on energy costs.
How do you and your thermostat relate? Have you met your match or are you on the market for again searching for your ideal match to meet your needs? Maybe you didn’t know what was available—but with this knowledge, your comfort can be controlled at all the right levels!
