Manual Thermostats
A manual thermostat is the most basic option. It allows you to call for heating and cooling, adjust the temperature, and has a fan control. Within the manual thermostat category, there are some different options; you’ll find basic dial-style thermostats, or models with more convenience features, such as digital displays or touchscreens. A manual thermostat will control your HVAC just fine, but it won’t offer the advanced options a programmable or smart thermostat can.
Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats have really gained popularity over the past decade and can be found in many U.S. homes and businesses. With their ability to schedule heating and cooling usage and automatically adjust settings, programmable thermostats offer users a way to lower their energy use and save money almost effortlessly. There are different types of programmable thermostats available which have different scheduling capabilities: 7-day, 5-1-1 day, 5-2 day, and weekly.
Smart and Learning Thermostats
The latest advancement in thermostat technology has been the introduction of smart and learning thermostats. These thermostats offer expanded capabilities beyond that of a programmable thermostat, including Internet connectivity, data collection, service and filter change reminders, and more. Learning thermostats can actually learn how your family utilizes your heating and cooling systems and control these systems using settings that maximize energy conservation and indoor comfort. Many models of thermostats in this category offer online portals where users can monitor their energy use, learn how the settings are saving them money, and view other valuable information about their systems. Smart and learning thermostats are a great technology that connects users to their homes, providing a way to control heating and cooling from just about anywhere using a smartphone or computer.