Choosing between a Smart Thermostat & Programmable Thermostat is a greatest dilemma while buying a thermostat. If you are willing to purchase a Thermostat for your home, then this guide may help you deciding which one is suitable for you.
Basic Difference Between Programmable & Smart Thermostat
With a programmable thermostat, you can set your desired temperature to be maintained at any point of the day. The thermostat will adjust according to the programmed settings. These thermostats come with a typically pre-programmed setting but you can adjust it according to your requirement.
Also READ: Honeywell RTH6580WF WiFi Thermostat Review – Pros & Cons.
On the other hand, smart thermostats do everything a programmable thermostat can do and even more. They have a more sophisticated look and are designed to have a more futuristic outlook, at times with a very sleek finish. It can be remotely controlled using a smartphone, computer, laptop, or tablet.
Programmable Thermostats – Uses & Benefits:
- The best part of a programmable thermostat is its ability to maintain a constant temperature. It also reduces energy consumption by reducing the difference in temperature when the change is non-objectionable.
- It may be set to allow the temperature to rise when there are no occupants in the room or house. It may then again regulate the temperature and bring it to the desired degree when the room or house is occupied again.
- In case you have multiple climate zones in your home, you may even set the thermostat in such a way that it caters differently to the respective rooms to keep the whole house at the desired temperature.
- When compared with an old HVAC system, programmable thermostats work more efficiently. It hence prolongs the life of your HVAC system by reducing its workload. Thus, they work best and most efficiently and thus keep your HVAC system optimized when paired together.
- With manual thermostats, you are required to set the temperature several times a day to suit your needs. However, this is not the case with programmable thermostats as it takes much less time to setup.
Smart Thermostats – Uses & Benefits:
- The first and most important benefit of a smart thermostat is that it can be operated remotely. This gives it an edge over almost every other kind of thermostat.
- You can change the setting remotely by pairing the unit with your smartphone, smart speaker, computer, tablet, or laptop. The pairing can be done over a Wi-Fi connection.
- Some thermostats can also observe and learn your daily routine and adjust their temperatures accordingly.
- Some smart thermostats even send you alerts in case the system heating or cooling drops too low or gets too high. They may even remind you if it is time for system maintenance or repair and may also provide necessary details about energy consumption.
Comparison of Smart thermostat & Programmable Thermostat
Benefits, uses, and differences between programmable thermostats and smart thermostats are visibly huge. Consider the following points based on your criteria:
- You may opt for a programmable thermostat if you have a very old HVAC system as it would optimize the system.
- In case, if you want a more sophisticated and modern design of the thermostat, you should definitely opt for a smart thermostat. If you remain at home most of the time then you might not need the remote setting change option much. Here, programmable thermostats come in handy.
- The ability to regulate everything from a smartphone app is a further advantage. An app on your phone, tablet, or computer can be used to adjust the smart thermostat’s settings from anywhere in the house. Need to change your home’s temperature settings while you’re away? Sure, no sweat. Your energy consumption can be tracked in real time.
- Reports on energy use, operating time, and reminders to change the air filter are all just a click away with this system. Never before has it been this simple and hassle-free to regulate the temperature in your home. Your high-tech lifestyle calls for a smart thermostat.
Final Verdict
Smart thermostats may even be a bit difficult to handle for older people who might not be very technologically advanced. However, several studies have shown that though programmable thermostats are known for reduced energy consumption, they lead to more energy costs when compared with smart thermostats.
This is because smart thermostats can judge your temperature requirement by observing and learning your schedule and thus keep the temperature maintained accordingly. This is not the case with programmable thermostats.