Both programmable thermostats and smart thermostats allow you to save money on your energy bills and regulate the temperature of your home. Unlike manual thermostats, which hold the temperature where you set it until you adjust it yourself throughout the day, programmable and smart thermostats can be set to increase and decrease the temperature automatically, without ever needing to touch the device after it’s set.
So, what’s the real difference between a standard programmable thermostat and those newer smart thermostats?
Differences between Programmable and Smart Thermostats and the Benefits of Each
If you’re still using a manual thermostat in your home and are considering an upgrade, it’s important to know all your options. Let’s take a look at some of the main differences between programmable thermostats and smart thermostats , as well as the benefits of each, so you can make the right decision for your needs – and start saving money on your energy bills every month.
Programmable Thermostats
Using a programmable thermostat allows you to pre-determine the temperature of your home for a number of days and times throughout the week. This means it can be just as effective as a smart thermostat at increasing your home’s energy-efficiency. There are a variety of different options for programmable thermostats, from those that allow you to program the temperature for all seven days of the week, to those where you can customize the temperature for the weekdays and the weekends. In other words, if you and your family are away at work and school Monday through Friday, a programmable thermostat can be set to adjust the temperature so your heating and cooling system isn’t running unnecessarily when no one is at home.
When used properly, programmable thermostats allow you to save up to 20 percent on your home’s energy bills.
Smart Thermostats
A smart thermostat goes above and beyond a programmable thermostat and is more intuitive when it comes to heating and cooling your home. They actually learn from your behavior, following the temperature alterations you make and begin making those changes on their own. These Wi-Fi enabled thermostats can also be adjusted and programmed via an app and internet connection, allowing you to control them from your smart phone, tablet or computer. Another great benefit of smart thermostats is that they accurately track and manage data on your home’s energy use, allowing you tomonitor the effectiveness of your HVAC system.
Like programmable thermostats, when used correctly smart thermostats can save 20 percent on your home’s energy bills.
Which is Right for You?
Clearly, both programmable thermostats and smart thermostats offer money-saving benefits. Which one you choose is really up to you, but keep in mind that you’ll pay a bit more for the innovative features of a smart thermostat. However, if you like the idea of being able to remotely control the temperature of your home or have an irregular schedule, this type might be a better fit for your lifestyle. If you’re simply prone to forgetting to adjust the temperature of your home before you leave for work for the day, a programmable thermostat will be beneficial for you.
Do you have questions about installing a programmable thermostat or a smart thermostat in your home? The team at Efficient Heating and Cooling is ready to help! If you’re in the greater Cleveland area, contact our team today! Or, give us a call at 216-663-6462.