We have all seen the commercials and the ads for the newest and coolest smart thermostat. But which one should you go with, smart thermostat vs. programmable thermostat? One will learn what you want your HVAC system to do and will do it for you. The other one you can control from your phone, no matter where you are in the world.
These things all seem cool, but is it just unnecessary flashiness? Couldn’t we achieve the same concept with a programmable thermostat? Is it always going to be smart thermostat vs. programmable thermostat? In this article we hope to answer these questions, and help you make up your mind, smart thermostat, or programmable thermostat? If you need an expert opinion to help you decide, go Clover for advice on your HVAC systems – our professionals are always happy to help.
Programmable thermostats
Programmable thermostats commonly have a large screen that is easy to read. This may not compare to the sleek design of the smart thermostats, but it is a step up from the manual thermostats, which can be difficult to see. It is also a major step up from the old analog thermostats that we used to have.
Programmable thermostats are designed to where you will set when and how you want your temperature to change. Being able to make your own schedule will allow you to have the unit start up before you wake up in the morning, so you can have a comfortable home in the morning. You can have it shut off when you leave for work, come back on before you get home, and shut off after you go to bed. And you can have different schedules set up for the weekends since you may be home all day on those days.
You do not want it to shut off at night, you want it to be 75 degrees while you are watching your shows in the living room, but at bedtime you want to sleep in a cool 72 degrees. You can set up your schedule to have the temperature change whenever you want, without you having to worry about it. No more forgetting to turn the ac off before you go to work or being worried about coming home to a warm home in the summer. Your thermostat will take care of all of that for you.
Smart thermostat
Smart thermostats are becoming the thermostat of the 21st century. Just like other technological advances, smart thermostats are making their stand. These thermostats don’t just sit on your wall; they are there to make a statement. The designers of these smart thermostats were thinking about the appearance when they chose the looks for these thermostats.
Smart thermostats are more than that, though. With a smart thermostat, you will be able to have your thermostat hooked to an app. From within this app, you will be able to adjust the thermostat from anywhere. If you forgot to turn off your AC during the day, just go to the app. Just go through the app if you will be working late and do not want your AC running.
Smart thermostats are sophisticated enough that they can learn what you are doing the most often and adjust the temperature and settings automatically to fit you and your family best. Some smart thermostats boast that they will track the weather and adjust the temperature accordingly. Another huge benefit to having a smart thermostat is that they claim it will save you money. It will continually track your HVAC energy usage and try to adjust itself within your parameters to save you money. This helps when considering the large price tag associated with these smart thermostats.
Which thermostat should you buy?
This is going to come down to your personal preference. When you look at smart thermostats vs. programmable thermostats, smart thermostats have a lot more bells and whistles and they look better on the wall. However, they also have a higher price tag than their programmable counterparts. It is estimated that smart thermostats save you at least 8% every year, and that number can be significantly higher if you live in an area that has extreme temperatures. That may be enough savings for you to justify going out and snagging one for yourself.
In the programmable vs smart thermostat debate, programmable thermostats are great choices because most people do not need to change the settings on their thermostat all the time. Most people have the same routine and can set up their programmable thermostat and go on about their lives. A downside to programmable thermostats is that they can be quite difficult to set up the schedule. Normally your thermostat will come with an instruction manual, but it can still be time consuming.
Something else you can consider in your debate of programmable thermostat vs. smart thermostat is that you can receive a rebate for making energy-efficient improvements to your home in some areas. You can call your trusted heating, ventilation, and air conditioning repair company, Clover, and ask them if this is an option for you. Even if the rebate does not pay for a whole new thermostat, it may be able to pay for enough to help you decide which way you want to go.
So, controlling the thermostat from your phone has drawn you in, or the pretty display. Or the simplicity of setting it and forgetting it, is what got your attention. Either way I think we can all agree that if you have an old analog thermostat, it is time for you to enter the new age and get yourself a digital thermostat. It is time to decide on a smart thermostat vs. programmable thermostat. If you still can’t decide, get in touch with our professionals at Clover Contracting.
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