One of the simplest ways to save money on heating and cooling is by setting the thermostat back when no one is home or everyone is in bed. With a manual thermostat, you have to remember to do that by hand. With a programmable thermostat, you can have your thermostat switch from comfort settings to energy-saving settings automatically.
Manual Thermostat Advantages
- Easy to use: You don’t have to deal with programming when you have a manual thermostat, which usually uses simple sliders to adjust the temperature.
- Less expensive
- Better for most types of heat pumps
- Better for most types of electric resistance systems
Programmable Thermostat Advantages
- Multiple settings: Some thermostats let you have individual settings for every day, giving you the most control over the climate in your household.
- Air filter indicators: These will let you know when it’s time to change the filter on your furnace or air conditioner.
- Malfunction indicators: These will tell you when something is wrong with your HVAC system. Good for catching problems early.
- Hold/vacation settings: These settings let you quickly adjust to save energy while on vacation, and switch back to your comfort settings when you return.
- Override settings: These settings can be used for one day if your schedule changes. After that 24-hour period, your settings will return to normal.
The thermostat that is right for you really depends on your HVAC system, your needs and how much money you’re willing to spend. Some manufacturers make programmable thermostats that are better suited for heat pumps than the standard models, but you also have to make sure that the thermostat you get is compatible with all of your HVAC equipment, or the advantages of having a programmable thermostat are reduced.
If you have questions about thermostats, or would like to consult a professional for advice on what type would suit your needs, contact us at Aladdin Heating & Cooling. We service southeastern Michigan, and are happy to offer advice for your heating and cooling needs.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about whether you should get a programmable or manual thermostat and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Aladding Heating & Cooling services the Detroit, Michigan and the surrounding areas. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!