How to Choose a Thermostat for Your Home | Air Conditioning Service in Katy, TX
Did your old thermostat give up? Do you want to purchase a new thermostat? If you answered yes to these, then this guide can help you make up your mind. The right thermostat can vastly improve the comfort level of your home and reduce your energy bills.
1. Decide the Thermostat Type
According to a reputable provider of air conditioning service in Katy, TX, many homeowners are not sure about the different types of thermostats available in the market. There are three basic types of thermostat that can serve you well.
Manual
A manual thermostat is the standard thermostat. When using this thermostat, you will have to manually adjust the air conditioning and heating settings. These thermostats are further classified into two categories.
- A thermostat with a dial to adjust temperature. It is known as an analog thermostat.
- A thermostat with arrow buttons to adjust temperature. It is known as a digital thermostat.
The installation of a manual thermostat can instantly create a positive impact on the comfort of your home. However, it struggles with accuracy. Sometimes, there is a +/- 3° differential with these devices.
Programmable Thermostat
You can go over to the next step by picking a programmable thermostat. As its name implies, it allows temperature control on the basis of programmed settings. According to Energy Star, using this thermostat can help you with $180 yearly savings on your utility bills. According to an A/C serviceman from an air conditioning service in Katy, TX, programmable thermostats are the most common types of thermostats.
To understand the use of a programmable thermostat, let’s consider you work part-time on a 5-hour shift. With a manual thermostat, you can shut down your HVAC system and then wait for it to regulate the temperature after turning it on. On the other hand, a programmable thermostat can signal the HVAC to increase or decrease the temperature based on a set time or when the room ambience hits a specific temperature.
Smart Thermostat
According to a professional from an air conditioning service in Katy, TX, smart thermostats are trending nowadays. Smart thermostats are an extension of programmable thermostats, albeit with a whole new level of features and functionality. As their name suggests, these devices can be configured via a tablet, phone, or PC, hence providing remote access.
Smart thermostats are more expensive than the above-mentioned thermostats. However, they also come with a lot more features and functionalities which not only improve the comfort levels of home but also save costs. Some of the features include the following.
- Support voice commands.
- Scheduling options.
- Notifications on filter replacement.
To know more features of smart thermostat, contact a dependable provider of air conditioning service in Katy, TX.
2. Verify Compatibility with Your HVAC System
Now that you made up your mind on which type of thermostat to purchase, you have to ensure that your desired model is compatible with your air conditioner.
In order to ensure the compatibility, consider the following.
Monitor System Voltage
The HVAC system in your home can be a high voltage, low voltage, or millivolt system. Regardless, install a thermostat that can adhere to the voltage requirements of your HVAC.
On average, low voltage systems are compatible with most of the thermostat types. If you do not have an electric baseboard system for heating or a floor heater, then there is a strong possibility that the HVAC in your home is a low voltage system.
For confirmation purposes, check the box of your thermostat and find the label of the manufacturer. Usually, it clearly specifies which type of voltage system is supported by the thermostat.
Install on the Same Place
The effort required in rewiring a thermostat is quite tiresome and time-consuming. In order to save yourself from the hassle of rewiring, you can install the new thermostat in the same place. Try to verify and check if it fits well. However, for this inspection, you would benefit more from the services of a professional. Therefore, call a reputable provider of air conditioning service in Katy, TX.
Assess Stages
Ask a serviceman to tell you about the stages of your HVAC. Stages are the speed limit of your heating and AC system. Usually, an HVAC is associated with the following stages.
- 1-stage – This stage uses the full speed of the system (similar to an ON/OFF switch).
- 2-stage – This stage uses two speeds: low and high speed.
- Variable Speed – This stage can increase or decrease the levels of air conditioning and heating with respect to the current requirements.
You must make sure that the wiring of your thermostat can work well with all the HVAC system stages. Have a professional from an air conditioning service in Katy, TX to help you determine it.
3. Look for an Air Conditioning Service in Katy, TX
If you have understood all the above-mentioned tips, then all is good. However, if you are still confused about thermostats, then perhaps the most effective and convenient solution to install one is to use the services of a reliable provider of air conditioning service in Katy, TX.
Sometimes, homeowners try to install a thermostat by themselves and perform a faulty installation. Similarly, there are some dishonest servicemen who tempt homeowners to try their services through the lure of extremely cheap costs—lower than the average charges. These servicemen are unqualified and do not carry the required accreditations and license to work in your home. Their dubious efforts can culminate in the following issues for you.
- Any component of your HVAC can start to malfunction suddenly.
- Your comfort level can be compromised due to defective wiring. Consequently, you are unable to receive the desired cool or hot air.
- The repair jobs are frequent.
- The utility bills are unusually high.
So, how to pick the right air conditioning service in Katy, TX? For starters, choose someone who has all the required accreditations and licenses. Likewise, they must have a solid reputation as a leading air conditioning service in Katy, TX. So far, there is no better choice than Cypress Heating and Air. Over the past 20 years, we have installed and serviced a large range of indoor comfort systems.
