A thermostat is a device used to adjust the temperature of a specific system, such as the HVAC so that the system can maintain the desired degree of temperature. It controls the heating and cooling, the heating components, and the air conditioner components. Also, thermostats use sensors to manage and measure temperature. The results from the sensors are what it uses to control heating and cooling systems.
When buying a thermostat, it is essential to consider the type of thermostat, cost, quality, and model. The article below shows the types of thermostats you can use at home, how to use them, their advantages and disadvantages.
Types of thermostats
Different types of thermostats exist in the market to date. The following are the different types of thermostats available in the market and you can choose from.
1. Mechanical thermostats
These kinds of thermostats are the older ones. They use the principle of expansion and contraction in the process of heating and cooling your water. A metal strip or gas is used for this principle to function. The gas models use the expansion and contraction of the gas that operates the metal strips or disks and change the thermostat settings. The expansion and the contraction allow the thermostat to react quicker to the changes in temperature, and therefore, they save money since it’s easy to control trolls not in use.
Advantages of mechanical thermostats:
i. It is easy to fix the problems of the thermostat when there is any damage.
ii. They are easy to use, and also they are familiar to most people
iii. It is cheap to install them.
iv. They are resistant to outages of power and fluctuations because of their moving parts.
Disadvantages of mechanical thermostats:
i. They are too expensive to maintain.
ii. There is always a delay as you wait for the temperatures to change.
iii. They have fewer options in the customization and control.
2. Digital thermostats
Digital thermostats use modern technology to sense the room’s temperatures and then use that information to control the heating and cooling systems. The principle used in modern thermostats is the best and more efficient way to control the circuits of the thermostat. In addition, digital thermostats use computing power and, therefore, the best when managing the house’s temperatures.
Advantages of digital thermostats:
a. They are quick in responding to changes in the temperature.
b. Programming of the digital thermostats usually meets the necessary specifications.
c. They have more options when it comes to temperature control.
d. They are more efficient in terms of energy.
3. Non- programmable thermostats
These thermostats do not use any smart technology, and they do not have any pre-settings. Non-programmable thermostats function manually using their physical interface, unlike programmable thermostats. However, they will always need someone to adjust them every time there is a need to change the settings. That kind of manual work can be time-consuming and bill-consuming because it requires you always to be available.
Advantages of non-programmable thermostats:
- Non-programmable thermostats are the cheapest to install.
- The thermostats use clear traditional interfaces and are therefore so easy to operate.
- They are dependent on the settings that you prefer.
Disadvantages of the non-programmable thermostats:
- They do not have any efficiency features.
- This kind of thermostat is non-programmable, unlike programmable thermostats. Therefore, they are not suitable to be used by people who are not around their homes. In addition, it is challenging to make settings on them; therefore, the person using them should be around the house for better functionality.
4 Programmable thermostats
Programmable thermostats are the kind of thermostats that can be programmed and can have pre-settings. The thermostats are effective as they help the user save on the bills since they can control the cooling and heating when they are not at home. Some of these programmable thermostats suit smartphones and other electronic devices; therefore, one can change the thermostat’s settings using the phone regardless of their location.
Advantages of programmable thermostats:
- The thermostats have an internet connectivity design in a way that they can use Wi-Fi for their functionality. With the Wi-Fi connection in your phone, one can control the settings of the thermostat while they are away from their homes.
- Programmable thermostats have many opportunities for customization.
- They are best for the people living in areas that are drastic to temperature changes.
Disadvantages of programmable thermostats:
- They are more expensive as compared to non-programmable thermostats due to their improved features.
5. Smart thermostats
Smart thermostats are the newest models of thermostats in the technology of thermostats. This kind of thermostat uses algorithm technology to detect the temperature and respond accordingly to give your house the temperatures you require.
When you set a smart thermostat at certain temperatures continuously using a particular pattern, the thermostat will automatically set itself per your pattern. Therefore, you will not need to worry about the temperature changes whether you are sleeping, away, or just busy somewhere else.
If you need to change the temperature preferences, the smart thermostats have Wi-Fi connectivity that you can use to change from wherever you are using your phone.
Advantages of smart thermostats:
- They are convenient since they use Wi-Fi connectivity.
- They promote customization through smart technology.
- Smart thermostats are convenient since the use of algorithms helps in the automatic setting of the thermostat. The automated way of operation of the thermostat always helps at different times when you are busy operating it.
Disadvantages of smart thermostats:
- Smart thermostats are the most expensive types of models that are available in the market. They have so much improved technology that makes them unique and is very efficient.
6. Communicating thermostat
Communicating thermostats are the type of thermostats that have a communicating system in them. You only need to talk to it to change the programs of the monitor. In addition, it has more advanced features such as; help – used to assist when you have problems troubleshoot-adjusting and furnace settings.
7. Learning thermostats
Learning thermostats are programmable thermostats that require programming during their first few days of using them. After that, the learning thermostat will automatically use your previous programs to predict your setting preferences and adjust to them. For example, the learning thermostat works perfectly where the user consistently patterns or schedules.
This kind of thermostat can use Wi-Fi or any other wireless connection, and therefore it is easy to operate them remotely using your smartphone.
8. Wireless thermostats
Wireless thermostats are the type of thermostat that uses wireless technology for operation. When using the wireless thermostats, there is freedom of operation whereby one can control its process from anywhere.
It is also easy to change the programmed settings of the thermostat while they are running. This kind of thermostat features the freedom to enjoy the air conditions that you like whenever you are at home. However, they also save the bills because there is a feature of switching off when the thermostat is not in use or not in the house.
How to choose the right thermostat for your home
When installing a thermostat for your home, it is always good to choose the thermostat to suit your home perfectly. The following are some steps to follow when choosing one.
Step 1
Find the kind of thermostat that suits your air conditioning and heating systems. It is essential to check whether the type of thermostat you are buying is compatible with the HVAC systems used at home.
Step 2
Choose the type of thermostat. The type of thermostat that you need depends on the amount of money that is available and also the model that you need.
Step 3
Choose the programming options that suit your preference. For example, if you choose a programmable thermostat, there is a need to select the method used to customize the thermostat. There are different options one can choose, such as the seven-day option. The seven-day option allows you to set the temperatures each day.
Step 4
Install the thermostat. The last step is installing the thermostat chosen. After installation, it is crucial to ensure excellent maintenance of the thermostat and the cooling or heating system to increase life span.
FAQs About Different Types of Thermostats:
- Will a smart thermostat work if there is no power or wireless connection?
The smart thermostat will not work when there is no power supply like the other thermostat types. Also, when there is no Wi-Fi connection, the thermostat will work, but the features that make it smart will not be available.
Conclusion
In conclusion, thermostats are essential when there is a need to control the temperatures and the air conditioning in our houses. However, different types of thermostats differ in pricing. Therefore, the most important thing to check when buying a thermostat is the model since the model will determine the comfortability of your family and the kind of bills that you will pay due to power consumption.
Non-programmable thermostats and mechanical thermostats are easiest to install and also the cheapest. However, they have very few options that can make them efficient hence not convenient for those who need great comfort. On the other hand, smart thermostats are the most expensive but have great efficiency options; therefore, they are the best to have.
To know more about different type of thermostat you should watch this video below, Enjoy!
