How does the cost of auto changeover compare to traditional thermostats?

cost of auto changeover compare to traditional thermostats

Thermostats are available in a wide variety of styles and price points at home improvement stores and through residential heating and cooling contractors. Some have advanced features that you can control via mobile phone apps or through voice commands. Others are simple and easy to use. The thermostat you choose should be compatible with your home’s system and match your comfort preferences. If you’re upgrading a current thermostat, your contractor may have suggestions for the best choice.

Most homes in the United States use electric forced-air furnaces with an evaporator fan and defrost heater to provide air conditioning. A mechanical thermostat, a small square or round box attached to the wall, controls the operation of the system. These thermostats have a simple interface with a digital display and the option to set a schedule for adjusting the temperature.

Many manufacturers offer programmable thermostats that let you pre-set heating and cooling settings for different times of the day or week. In Consumer Reports testing, these models generally save energy compared to a manual thermostat when they are properly used. But 40 percent of programmable thermostat owners don’t use their scheduled settings, so the potential energy savings remain unrealized.

How does the cost of auto changeover compare to traditional thermostats?

The most sophisticated Thermostats With Auto Changeover are so-called “learning” models that try to determine your typical heating and cooling patterns. They then program a schedule that should save you energy based on your normal routine, and they track your energy use over time to learn how to optimize your system. This feature is heavily weighted in CR’s product ratings.

Smart thermostats can also automatically detect when you’re at work or at home and adjust the temperature accordingly. Some connect to a smartphone app that uses geofencing to make adjustments as you approach your home, and some integrate with smart speakers so you can simply ask for a temperature change by name. They can also remind you to schedule a routine maintenance visit or replace the air filter, and some even keep track of your electricity bills so you can see how much money they’re saving you.

The ease of use of a thermostat is also an important factor to consider, especially if you plan to use it regularly. Look for a model with a display that’s clear and easy to read. If possible, visit a store that has demonstration models so you can try programming them and see how intuitive they are to use. In addition, read a few of the manufacturers’ user manuals to see how well they explain the process.