How Does A Programmable Thermostat Work?
Heating and cooling systems rely on a thermostat to determine the ambient temperature in an enclosed area. It is a vital part of all HVAC equipment as it helps maintain the occupants’ preferred temperature. Most HVAC experts recommend using programmable thermostats because of the many benefits they have. However, many people also wonder what a programmable thermostat is and how does a programmable thermostat work?
Read on to find out some useful information on programmable thermostats.
Understanding The Programmable Thermostat
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A thermostat is an HVAC system component built to read and control the temperature in an enclosed space. It can also control some actions of your air conditioner, furnace, and other controlled systems. The thermostat can turn the system on or off or regulate how much heat transfer fluid flows. These help your home or office reach the desired temperature and maintain it.
Manual Thermostats Vs. Programmable Thermostats
The primary difference between a programmable thermostat and an ordinary one is that the former can make automatic adjustments to the temperature. The adjustments are based on programmed settings. The owner can set the temperature to be lower or higher depending on their preferred settings during different times of the day.
Thermostats nowadays are normally digital. However, older homes and establishments might still be using non-digital types. Digital thermostats are equipped with a thermistor which is what measures the temperature. It has metals that change when a change in the ambient temperature occurs. The thermistor is also what allows temperature electrical resistance changes.
Thermostat Microcontroller
Aside from the thermistor, the microcontroller is another vital thermostat component. It is responsible for measuring electrical resistance. This is then converted into a temperature reading. This is the process a modern digital thermostat undergoes to sense the temperature. Its settings can be programmed so the user can switch off the system and turn up or down the heating or cooling at specific times of the day.
For instance, the furnace thermostat can be programmed to crank up the heat every morning. It can then turn down while you are out at work and turn up again when you return home. Having a programmable thermostat allows you to regulate the temperatures in your home for a whole day. You can set it depending on the indoor temperature fluctuations in a 24-hour timeframe.
Programmable thermostats are useful if you utilize zoning. HVAC zoning means different zones around your home can be cooled or heated using varying temperature settings. This is recommended for homes that have multi-zones or multi-levels. Remember that hot air rises, so rooms on the lower floors tend to be cooler than those in the upper ones. This can be remedied by installing a programmable thermostat in different rooms or zones for better temperature control and maintenance.
Pros of A Programmable Thermostat
Some of the advantages of using a programmable thermostat include:
- Automatic Temperature Adjustment – A programmable thermostat allows you to automatically cool or heat rooms throughout your house at certain times throughout the day. Therefore, you do not have to keep adjusting and readjusting the temperature. It makes heating and cooling more convenient as you do not have to go to your thermostat to change temperatures.
- Improved Comfort – Adjusting the temperatures becomes automatic with a programmable thermostat. Therefore, rooms can maintain the preferred temperature throughout the day, and you’ll have better home comfort.
- Improved Zone Temperature Control – Programmable thermostats mean you’ll have improved temperature control in each zone. Rooms can be heated or cooled independently, so you can turn off the heating or cooling in unoccupied rooms.
- Less Stress on An Older HVAC System – If you have an older unit at home, installing a programmable thermostat can help lessen the work of your older system. This is especially true if your system is constantly running. A programmable thermostat can help reduce component wear and tear and, in turn, extend your old HVAC system’s service life.
- Cost-Saving – Using a programmable thermostat means you can change the temperature settings depending on your day-to-day schedule. This way, your HVAC system doesn’t operate at full capacity at all times, reducing your energy costs significantly. Cooling and heating can be turned up, down, or off depending on the occupants’ preference or presence at home.
What If I Don’t Want The Automatic Temperature Setting?
All programmable thermostat comes with a feature for overriding the automatic system. This way, you can use it manually, and you don’t have to set temperatures automatically. Manual operation still allows you to have control over the system. However, consider remote control and monitoring for more convenient usage. This way, you do not have to go to the thermostat or even be home to adjust the temperatures when needed.
Newer programmable thermostats have WiFi capabilities, so you can control your system remotely using your smartphone or laptop. This is a convenient feature for when you are away from home and forget to set your HVAC system.
Do You Need A Programmable Thermostat?
A programmable thermostat is an excellent option for people who have regular schedules. It is also for those who want to control the ambient temperatures in their homes without having to manually control the HVAC unit. A programmable thermostat will control your home’s temperatures for you throughout the day. You can even keep this setting for however long you want.
A programmable thermostat is the right type for your home if you want to better control your home environment without a lot of HVAC unit manipulation involved.
Conclusion
A programmable thermostat lets you enjoy benefits such as convenience, improved comfort, cost-effectiveness, and better control. It is a good option for homeowners who have certain temperature preferences. You can also have better control of your indoor environment. If you think a programmable thermostat is for you, contact your local, trusted HVAC technician and discuss your home’s heating and cooling needs. They can help you find which features will work best for you.
Call Hart Home Comfort For All Of Your HVAC Requirements
Hart Home Comfort has the best heating and cooling services in Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Queens, New York. We have professionally certified and highly trained technicians for all your HVAC maintenance, repairs, replacements, and installations. Each of our friendly techs is knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced to work on any system accurately.
Our company guarantees reasonable and affordable HVAC service rates in the area. Our maintenance services can help increase your comfort and energy efficiency while reducing your cooling and heating bills. If your system requires repair or replacement, we can recommend the best and most budget-friendly solutions. All our services are guaranteed for your satisfaction. Book a service appointment today and call Hart Home Comfort. We offer free, in-home estimates.
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