In this generation where convenience is everything, it’s no surprise that smart thermostats have found their way into so many homes. These gadgets let homeowners to use their HVAC systems from anyplace with an internet connection or, if desired, locally through a user-friendly display. Some of them, in fact, can even change temperatures automatically depending on occupancy or established preferences.
How does a smart thermostat work?
To answer the question “how do smart thermostats work?”, we first need to understand what a regular one does. In virtually every building that has a heating and cooling system, there’s a main control board called an HVAC (for heating, ventilation and air conditioning). It regulates temperatures in individual rooms as well as the entire property. It works by monitoring the temperature in each area of your home via a set of sensors, which are wired to that respective room’s thermostat. That digital box controls your unit via a set of relays, which in turn trigger the furnace when it’s time for it to come on.
Let’s go ahead and say that this is how a regular thermostat works . Next, let’s talk about what smart ones do differently. First off, they can be moved to wherever it’s most convenient for you, so you can have one in all of your rooms if desired. That way, you can operate the HVAC from any room like a lamp or other appliance. This means that you don’t need to run down a hallway if everyone’s getting too warm and wants to raise the temperature.
They also connect to your home’s wireless network, whether that’s a router or an extender. This way, you can control the HVAC using your smartphone from any place in the world where you have signal. Smart thermostats also let homeowners check their energy consumption and see if there are any heating problems because they’re programmable. They can be set to change temperatures at certain times of the day, which means you don’t have to wait for nighttime when everyone’s asleep before lowering the temperature in your home.
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How to install a smart thermostat?
Since they’re connected to the internet, smart thermostats don’t need to be installed near an HVAC unit. This is why these devices are perfect for remodels or new construction because you can place them anywhere that’s convenient for your home’s layout. Most smart thermostats have backup batteries which last for hours, so there isn’t a need to worry about losing power during installation. In most cases, all you have to do is download the manufacturer’s app and follow the instructions for connecting your new smart thermostat.
If you want to install a smart thermostat, we recommend using one that’s compatible with your HVAC system – and there are many options because these gadgets work with most types of systems. If you don’t know if yours is compatible or aren’t sure how to check for compatibility, all you need to do is call the manufacturer and ask them for guidance.
Advantages of having a smart thermostat
After learning how smart thermostat system works, homeowners might wonder what’s so great about owning one of these devices. Here are some advantages of having a connected home:
Energy Saving
Smart thermostats provide greater energy savings because there’s no need to heat or cool your house while you’re away from home. You can lower the temperature while you’re at work all day or while you’re sleeping, and then have it warm up when you wake up.
Convenient
They’re more convenient to use because they can be remotely controlled from a smartphone which means homeowners don’t need to be in the house to change temperatures at various times of the day. This way, no one has to suffer through hot summers or cold winters if they don’t want to.
Cost Saving
They’re a great way to save money because they can help you discover where your home is losing heat, which could be from leaks or poorly sealed windows and doors. For example, if you set the temperature in your living room at 72 degrees Fahrenheit during winter, but it’s still chilly after you turn up the heat, then that means there’s a draft coming from somewhere. Then, you can easily find where the air leak is and fix it before wasting energy and money on heating the empty room.
Versatile
There are also other advantages to think about, such as being able to program smart thermostats for your weekend home and vacation homes. This way you don’t have to worry about heating or cooling it during those times when you won’t be using them.
How to use a smart thermostat
You can personalize smart thermostats as much as you want. When you first set it up, the manufacturer’s app performs a learning mode so that it can gather data on how long it takes your HVAC system to reach a particular temperature at different times of the day. If you want, you can also manually enter the temperature you want for each room so that it learns your preferences.
You can also connect with other smart device owners through a “virtual community” on the app, where people share tips on how to use their devices more efficiently and what they’ve learned from their own experience with them. You can also adjust settings, such as the time you want it to start heating or cooling, to make the most of your schedule.
Some smart thermostats also let you control your home’s ventilation system, which is great for homes with multiple floors if one section tends to heat up faster than another. This way, no area gets too hot because the heat will be distributed evenly throughout the house, which will help reduce cooling costs.
There are also models that allow you to control your electronic devices remotely with an app on your smartphone or tablet, whether it’s a fan for extra ventilation during summer or a dehumidifier to keep the humidity down in the house when it starts getting cold outside.
Conclusion
So that’s how smart thermostats work and why it might be a great choice for you. Now is the perfect time to invest in one because they’re on sale as part of Black Friday deals.
Just make sure you buy one that has good reviews from other consumers, like those who’ve already used them before, and won’t waste your money on a gadget that will end up being more of a headache than a convenience.