Digital, Programmable & Wireless Thermostats

For many people, their air conditioning and heating system's thermostat is the only air conditioning part they deal with on a daily basis.  The thermostat is the control center of your home air conditionin, managing all the action that is happening behind the scenes.  Conventional thermostats are small boxes mounted on a wall, usually located in an open hallway so they can regulate all of your air conditioning unit’s air flow throughout your home or business.  These devices are used to adjust the air temperature up or down in order to control the comfort of your environment.  Thermostats operate by sending a signal to the appropriate air conditioning parts to speed up or shut down, depending on whether you select a cooler or warmer temperature. 

Newer air conditioning units offer the latest in thermostat technology:  programmable, digital, and wireless thermostats.  Programmable thermostats differ from manual thermostats in that they can be programmed to predetermined settings that conserve energy.  With programmable thermostat technology, you can “set it and forget it,” selecting energy-saving settings for times you are at work or asleep.  In addition to the environmental benefits of decreased energy use, programmable thermostats can reduce your energy bill:  during periods of peak electricity use, a Honeywell programmable thermostat can save a typical household up to 30% in HVAC energy costs. 

Most digital thermostats in North America are of the programmable variety, which incorporate all of the functions listed above.  Depending on their level of sophistication, digital thermostats can be programmed to multiple settings, such as “Morning,” “Day,” “Evening,” and “Night,” or even different schedules for different days of the week.  Another useful feature often included with digital thermostats is an air conditioning filter change indicator, which calculates air conditioner filters replacement based on usage cycles; such a feature will keep your air conditioning system running in peak condition.

Wireless thermostats utilize advances in wireless technology to offer even greater flexibility and control over your environment’s temperature.  These devices typically come with a receiver, a sensor (usually the wireless thermostat itself), and several remote controls, thus providing access from virtually anywhere in your home.  Many thermostat brands, such as Hunter, Rodgers, and Honeywell thermostats, offer multiple features that allow you to customize your climate control system.

Heat pumps can also have thermostats, which can be the cause of heating and air conditioning system failures.  To troubleshoot your heat pump thermostat, it is best to contact your local HVAC technician, who can replace thermostats, if necessary.  Fortunately, thermostats are relatively inexpensive air conditioning parts:   prices can range from $50 for a basic model, up to $200 for the most sophisticated technology. 

To ensure your thermostat’s best performance, consider the following tips:

• Mount your thermostat approximately five feet from the floor, so that it can sense air that is most representative of the environment’s temperature; and
  
  
• Don't locate thermostats on the inner surface of an outside wall, in corners, behind doors, in closets, near windows, or by a heat source; they will not be able to accurately detect the environment’s true climate.