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A Comparative Look at Thermostats

Thermostat technology has come a long way in recent years, allowing for better control over your home’s heating and air conditioning systems than ever before. Whether your home and your HVAC system are old or new, your thermostat can be a major determining factor in the system’s energy efficiency. Additionally, thermostats are easy to replace and for a small upfront cost, can help you save a significant amount of money throughout the year, regardless of whether the season calls for heating or cooling in Detroit.

Mercury Thermostats

If you have an older home, your HVAC system may still incorporate a mercury thermostat. This older model uses a mercury-filled thermometer to activate heating or cooling based upon your desired set temperature and the temperature of your home. However, mercury thermostats are generally no longer available for residential use because of the potentially toxic effects of mercury if the thermometer inside is broken during disposal. Furthermore, mercury thermostats are much less accurate in terms of the current temperature displayed and the ability to set your desired temperature than digital thermostats, making it harder to implement energy-saving practices at home.

Digital and Programmable Thermostats

The advent of the digital thermostat has revolutionized the use of residential and commercial HVAC systems. Digital thermostats measure temperature using an electronic sensor, rather than a mercury thermostat, and display the temperature numerically on a screen. Thus, you can see and set the temperature much more accurately than via the dial or lever systems available on mercury thermostats. Furthermore, many digital thermostats also incorporate programmable functions, allowing you to create temperature programs based on your schedule. By only heating or cooling your home while you are present and active, you can potentially save hundreds of dollars each year and prolong the lifetime of your furnace and air conditioner through smarter HVAC usage.

Learning Thermostats

The newest thermostats on the HVAC scene are “smart” or learning thermostats. These thermostats arose from the fact that despite the potential energy savings homeowners can achieve via programmable thermostats, many of these thermostats are not being used correctly because users find them difficult to manage. Learning thermostats track your thermostat usage over the first few days or weeks you own them, then use those preferences to create a heating and cooling schedule for you. There is no need for you to program your thermostat, eliminating confusion or forgetfulness so you can enjoy the benefits of energy savings with less work. These thermostats can also display helpful information such as past energy usage and trends, the time it will take to achieve your desired temperature, and more. Additionally, smart thermostats include wireless accessibility, allowing you to check and control your home’s energy usage from a smartphone, tablet, or computer even while you are away, for even greater energy savings and comfort the moment you step in the door.

Replacing your thermostat is a simple step that can make a big difference in terms of your heating and cooling bills and your HVAC performance. If you’d like to learn more about your options or schedule heating, air conditioning, or water heater service in Detroit, click on over to our website to request service or check out the products we offer. Additionally, you’ll find even more energy-saving tips and information to boost your home energy know-how on our blog.