Thermostats have changed a lot over the years. They have moved from basic devices that you have to manually adjust to programmable models, where you can enter a specific setting program for automatic adjustment. In the last decade, thermostats have transformed extensively with the introduction of modern thermostats that can adjust the temperature in the home based on occupancy, weather, and even voice commands.
Modern home thermostats have the capability to adjust heating and cooling temperature settings, so you can be more energy-efficient and potentially reduce your electricity bills. Different thermostat models are available to meet different needs and budgets, so not all modern thermostats are programmed the same. Here are some things you should know about modern thermostats before purchasing a model and setting it up in your home.
What is a Smart Thermostat?
Conventional thermostats allow one to regulate the temperature in your home. They act as a control panel for the heating and cooling system. Modern-day thermostats let the users set the temperature and change the settings based on the time of day. What makes most programmable thermostats smart is that they learn from users’ behaviors, allowing one to control the indoor climate remotely, showing one’s energy usage in real-time, and even adjusting to ambient conditions such as humidity.
A programmable thermostat is a thermostat that embraces smart technology which allows users to control the temperature in their home via a tablet, smartphone, or desktop computer for complete control over central heating. Best smart thermostats can be used with home automation to regulate the temperature of a home, and they can be controlled by remote control. They allow users to control the temperature of their home throughout the day using a schedule, as per the room temperature.
Various Benefits of using a Programmable Thermostat
Savings
The major feature that attracts users across the globe to the latest modern thermostats is the ability to save money. Especially during the times when electricity bills continue to rise, using a programmable thermostat is one of the best ways to use less energy and save more money. It is estimated that a modern thermostat, for example, can save 11-14% on heating and up to 13% on cooling. Meanwhile, several energy experts estimate the average household could save an average of 21% in heating and cooling costs by switching to a programmable thermostat.
Portability
Modern-day programmable thermostats connect to your home's Wi-Fi system. This gives the users remote access to multiple device controls via smartphones, tablets, and other compatible devices. Home sensors can also detect when people are present and active in the home and when they are not, which can help achieve a more efficient and effective placement schedule.
Learning
Modern thermostat manufacturers use the aforementioned sensors to know about the user's habits. This incorporated feature allows the system to identify when the household is normally active and when people tend to be away. Over time, this leads to more efficient auto-scheduling, so you do almost nothing to maintain optimal heating and cooling efficiency.
Smart functionality
Smart home technology is approaching its peak as IoT, or the Internet of Things. Smart home devices, such as dehumidifiers and air purifiers, can regularly communicate with modern thermostats for maximum comfort, efficiency, and air quality in the home. As more and more devices become interconnected, the most important systems of the home can become largely automated, sharing information and creating the most pleasant indoor environment possible.
Usage tracking and energy profiles
While the best smart thermostats can do much on their own to control energy usage and costs, they also provide real-time information that homeowners can use to optimize things further. These devices provide reports on how your energy consumption has changed over time and even provide estimates of future costs. Entering information about the home into the appliance's energy profile feature, including information such as size, location, and heating and cooling patterns, can become more efficient. These devices also often provide helpful tips, including weatherproofing ideas, allowing you to narrow things down even further.
Voice commands
Smart speakers and assistants like Google Home, Siri, and Amazon's Echo and Dot systems are all in vogue. It's no surprise that most smart thermostats are compatible with these technologies, so you can use these speakers and assistants to regulate the temperature in your home without lifting a finger. For example, if you have an Android device, you can say, "Google, lower the temperature to 60 degrees," and it will do it automatically.
Digital Display
If you've ever used an old analog thermostat or even an old programmable thermostat, you know how difficult this can be. When compared to older thermostats, the Programmable Thermostat features a colorful, bright touchscreen display that makes adjusting settings on the remote easy. The interfaces are clean and simple, and many automatically turn on when they detect motion or automatically turn off when they stop. In some cases, you can even customize the display with a unique face to match your home decor.
App-based scheduling
You can fine-tune your best smart thermostat's programming through apps available for the most popular mobile devices, including smartphones and computers. In the app, it's much easier to understand your home's current energy profile and tailor the program to be as efficient and effective as possible.
Room sensors
One of the big downsides of traditional home thermostats is that they only sense air near the unit. However, most homes have hot and cold spots, and these can negatively impact a heating and cooling system's ability to keep running and working efficiently. Several modern-day thermostats can be enhanced to accommodate sensors for individual rooms or areas in the home. Using this information, the device can adjust the power accordingly to optimize overall comfort and energy consumption.
Geofencing
When you're away for the day, you can schedule your smart thermostat to stay warmer or cooler, depending on the season, to save energy. However, after you return home, you must wait for the system to start and the house to be comfortable again. With a modern thermostat, you can schedule a system restart at a specific time. Better yet, many of these devices allow you to set up geofencing on an app-based map. When the device detects that you've crossed the limit you've set in either direction, it can back up or roll back.
Alerts
With most programmable thermostats, you can use the sleep mode feature to use minimal energy while away. However, what if something unexpected happens when you're not there, like maybe a big cold front is coming? These devices can issue alerts to notify you remotely when adjustments are needed. It can give you great peace of mind no matter where you go.
Weather forecasts
The best smart thermostat on the market today can also get real-time weather information. This information can then be used to help the system adapt to changing conditions without your direct intervention. For example, if the device detects a rapid increase in temperature, it can automatically increase the cooling level to maintain a good balance.
When it comes to embracing ideal air conditioning in the home while using a nominal amount of energy, switching to a programmable thermostat has long been the way to go. They have also become convenient to use and more economical in the past decade. These devices are often referred to as modern thermostats. There are many benefits that come with using a modern thermostat if you haven't already done so. As you'll see, there's a lot more to these devices than what you see.
Conclusion
While it is a fact that modern thermostats have been accessible for a while, a big share of households in the US are not aware of their advantages. To add, it is estimated that only 8% of homes in America use a modern thermostat they already own. When it comes to new generation temperature controller methodology, only one in seven American households, or about 10% of the nation's approximately 115 million households, own and actively use new generation programmable thermostats. The benefit of modern thermostats is the ability to learn a household's habits and adjust heating and cooling systems based on when the home is about to be occupied. This reduces the use of heating and cooling systems when no one is at home for long periods.
A smart thermostat installs like a regular model and requires manual adjustments for about the first week. After adjusting your thermostat to your comfort level a few times a day, the thermostat remembers those preferences and automatically makes the adjustments. As your schedule changes, it can automatically adjust and save you money on heating and cooling when you're away.
