According to the Department of Energy, almost 50% of home energy use goes to heating and air conditioning. One way to lower energy costs is to use thermostats that regulate indoor temperatures according to your lifestyle, weather, and indoor comfort needs. Depending on the type you choose, you can lower annual heating and cooling costs by at least 10%. A Spring air conditioning repair and installation contractor can evaluate your property and recommend thermostats that will improve energy efficiency.
Types of Thermostats
There are three basic types of thermostats: mechanical, programmable, and smart. Spring AC services technicians can help you select a thermostat that is compatible with your HVAC system, budget, and lifestyle.
Mechanical Thermostats
Mechanical thermostats, the least expensive of the three types, are manually operated with a sliding bar that sets the temperature. Inside, a metal coil contracts and expands in response to heat energy. Mechanical thermostats are line-voltage devices, wired into the electrical system for use with electrically-powered heating systems. Although they are easy to operate, they are not very accurate. In addition, you must remember to adjust them to set back the temperature. Manual thermostats should be calibrated periodically. This is typically included as part of Spring air conditioning repair and preventive maintenance services.
Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats allow you to set temperatures for different days of the week and times within a day. With seven-day thermostats, a different setting can be programmed for each day. With five-day thermostats, one schedule can be set for the workweek and another on the weekend. Others are programmed for an entire week. Most programmable thermostats are digital. However, a few companies make line-voltage programmable devices.
When properly used, programmable thermostats can save approximately 10% on energy bills. In addition, they heat or cool according to your schedule. If you set the thermostat back at night, it can be programmed to start cooling before you wake up. You can program a setback while you are away and a time to begin cooling so the house is comfortable when you get home.
Smart Thermostats
Smart thermostats take programmable devices a step further. They can be controlled using apps for smartphones, computers, and tablets via Wi-Fi or the internet. Some are part of whole-house smart systems. Others learn your schedule and preferences and automatically adjust timings and temperatures. Some monitor the weather and adjust settings for optimum comfort.
Our Spring AC repair technicians undergo rigorous factory training. We install and service products from most major HVAC manufacturers. For more information about installing and operating energy-saving thermostats, call the Spring air conditioning repair experts at AirDepot.
