Thermostats help keep your home comfortable, and with the right one it’ll even help you control your energy usage. They’re available in a variety of models and choosing the right one largely depends on your needs and the type of heating and cooling system you have in your home.
Use the below links for quick access to the sections of this article.
- Types of Thermostats
- Features to Look For
- Thermostat Compatibility
- Installing a Thermostat
- Check Your Existing Thermostat’s Wiring
Types of Thermostats
Finding the right thermostat for you depends on you and your home’s individual needs. There are several thermostat types to consider.
Manual
These are your basic level of thermostats. Most of us are familiar with them from apartments, dorm rooms, offices, and more. They’re great if you’re someone who’s diligent about changing settings based on indoor temperature changes since they’re not going to offer the hands-off control of other options.
Programmable
If you’re looking for a model that automatically adjusts the temperature throughout the day, then check out a programmable thermostat. They’re able to help you save on cooling costs, can be set to fit your individual schedule, and are available in 7 day individual programs, 5-2 day (one setting during the week vs. 2 on weekends), or 5-1-1 (one setting during the week and two different settings on Saturday and Sunday).
Wi-Fi Enabled
Increasingly becoming more popular, Wi-Fi enabled smart thermostats are perfect for controlling your home’s comfort from anywhere. Not only are they programmable but you can monitor and operate them on your smartphone or tablet.
Features to Look For
Thermostats are increasingly becoming more advanced. Each one has their unique abilities but there are a few customer favorite features you want to be on the look out for.
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App Control: Found on smart thermostats, you can control your thermostat remotely and many models work with home assistants like Amazon Alexa, Siri, and more.
- Automatic Temperature Changes: Many smart thermostats use your phone and geo-fencing to learn learn your behavior and automatically make adjustments for you.
- Auto Changeover: Great for areas with a wide temperature variety, it’s able to automatically switch from cooling to heating based on your home’s temperature.
- Easy to Use Controls: A clear backlit display and simple touch controls makes it easy to monitor and adjust a thermostat.
- Helpful Reminders: Some thermostats can provide routine reminders like when it’s time to replace your furnace or AC filter.
Thermostat Compatibility
Once you’ve decided which thermostat you want to install, the next step is to determine whether the model compatible with your home. This is going to depend on your home’s heating and cooling system. Compatible systems are noted in product content and on thermostat labels.
- Single Stage Heating and Cooling Systems: For when you have separate heating and air conditioning units.
- Multi-Stage Heating and Cooling Systems: For heating or cooling units that have multiple speeds.
- Milli-Volt Systems: These are typically wall or floor heaters, like gas-powered wall heaters, that don’t use electricity.
- Central Air Conditioning: Cooling and/or heating is individually controlled in different areas from the same HVAC system.
- Baseboard Heaters: Baseboard heaters may be either a main or supplemental single room heat source.
- Cooling-Only: Systems designed to only cool your space.
- Furnaces: Uses forced-air to push warm air into rooms through ductwork.
- Gas Fireplaces: Gas fireplaces are single room heating sources.
- Heat Pump: Heat pumps transfer heat from its source to your home.
- Heat Pump with Auxiliary Heat: These heat pumps feature auxiliary heat that has a backup heat source to keep your home at its set temperature when outside temperatures are below freezing.
- Heating Only: Systems built for heating only.
- Hot Water: Controls the temperature of home’s hot water heater.
Installing a Thermostat
Typically installing a thermostat can be a great DIY project, especially if you’re replacing an existing thermostat. For most thermostats you’ll:
- Go to your circuit breaker and turn off electricity to the thermostat.
- Remove the old thermostat and label all of the wires.
- Install the the new wall plate.
- Connect your new thermostat by attaching the wires that you previously labeled.
- Attach the face of the thermostat to the wall plate and turn back on your electricity.
It’s important to remember to follow the step-by-step instructions that accompany your particular thermostat. If you’re unsure on how to complete the installation, be sure to reach out to an HVAC contractor.
Check Your Existing Thermostat’s Wiring
If you’re replacing an existing thermostat, you’ll want to open it up and take a look at what kind of wiring it has. Most manual and programmable thermostats will work with as little as two low-voltage wires, however newer and Wi-Fi enabled thermostats usually require a common wire (C-wire). A C-wire delivers continuous power for operating the Wi-Fi. If you don’t have a C-wire, or if you aren’t sure if you do, you’ll want to contact an HVAC professional.
Still Have Questions?
Not sure what's best for you? We can take the guesswork out of decision-making. Contact one of our air treatment specialists at 1-800-934-9194. We want to help make your indoor and outdoor environment healthy and comfortable. Be sure to connect with us through the Sylvane Facebook and Twitter pages.
