Main Differences Between Programmable and Smart Thermostats

If you have an old-fashioned manual switch thermostat, there’s a better way to keep your Wilmington, North Carolina, home comfortable while also saving money and keeping your carbon footprint low. Learn about the differences between programmable and smart thermostats and which device is right for you.

Programmable Thermostats

Programmable thermostats are great for energy savings while increasing your comfort. They let you program multiple temperature settings for different times of the day each day of the week. This allows you to heat or cool your home while it’s occupied, lower your energy usage while you’re asleep, and give these systems a rest while no one is home.

By optimizing these settings, you can save 10 to 30 percent on your energy bill. Programmable thermostats allow you to set it and forget it, decreasing your mental load. If you’ve ever left the AC or heat running while no one was home, a programmable thermostat is perfect for you.

Smart Thermostats

A smart thermostat lets you program your home climate in advance just like programmable thermostats, but then takes matters into its own hands. It constantly pays attention and reacts to changes in your home environment like a spike in heat or humidity.

Smart thermostats learn to anticipate your preferences, or if you prefer a more hands-on approach, they let you adjust the temperature from an app without even leaving the couch. These apps provide data so you can fine-tune your energy usage. Smart thermostats have a heftier price tag, but your savings over time will be worth it.

Both smart and programmable thermostats are a great upgrade to cut your energy usage and save money. For a higher initial investment, smart thermostats give you more features and control, but you may not need them. Call Airmax Heating & Cooling at 910-795-4359 if you aren’t sure. One of our trained specialists can help you find the best thermostat for your home today.

Image provided by iStock