For quite a few years, my household managed with an extremely outdated thermostat.
- Despite making numerous home improvements, it never occurred to me to replace the thermostat.
It was a very simple plastic device with a dial that required manual adjustment. When I complained about utility bills to the HVAC technician who was handling my seasonal furnace maintenance, he suggested investing into a new thermostat. He mentioned that smart thermostats can significantly elevate energy savings. I immediately started researching the different brands and models of thermostats available. I was amazed by the advances in technology. Today’s generation of thermostats are designed in a variety of shapes and include customizable, touchscreen displays. Through wifi accessibility, it’s possible to raise or lower temperature settings, set up programs and get information through an app on the smartphone. The thermostat can send alerts when it’s time to replace air filters or schedule seasonal maintenance. Some of them provide notifications if there is a power outage or unexplained temperature fluctuations. There are models that track energy usage and provide tips for improvement. I chose an option that features learning capability. For the first week following installation, the thermostat noted our daily adjustments. It learned my family’s schedule and preferences and then created a personalized schedule. I very seldom need to do anything with the thermostat. It knows to conserve energy when the house is empty or my family is asleep. It controls the furnace or air conditioner so that we always return home or wake up to ideal comfort. I’ve saved enough on my energy bills to just about recover the initial purchase and installation of the thermostat.