How Learning Thermostats are Different from Programmable Thermostats

December 04, 2018

Your thermostat is key to how much you’re paying on your utility bills. Merely programming your thermostat for times when you’re sleeping or gone can make a large impact without having a negative affect on your comfort levels. Depending on the model of your thermostat, you can do a whole lot more to make an even bigger impact.

At Precision Mechanical, we’ve got an array of programmable thermostats to meet your needs—from the most simple models to the state-of-the-art learning thermostats. How can you know what is best for your space? First, research the difference between basic programmable thermostats and advanced learning models. Either of these can help you save energy and money, but you’ll want to determine which features are most important to you.

All programmable thermostats will let you schedule your days to control temperatures when you’re routinely there and gone. Depending on the model you select, you may be able to record one schedule, which you may end up overriding on weekends or other days you’re home. Some models will permit you to program your weekdays on one schedule and your weekends on a different one. You’ll also want to check the number of periods you can set up during the day. For instance, will you want the temperature in your house different when you sleep, when you wake up, when you’re at work and when you are home in the evening? Check that the thermostat you select can adapt to your needs.

For some individuals, being able to arrange a regular schedule (or two) and override it when needed is enough. But if you want more flexibility, it’s probably time to buy a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat lets you completely customize a heating and cooling schedule for every day of the week.

Not only are smart thermostats more flexible, but they’re also Wi-Fi enabled so you can control your home’s temperature regardless of where you are. Some models of smart thermostats take innovation even further—these are called “learning thermostats.” Learning thermostats do everything a regular smart thermostat can do, but they can also learn from your behaviors and monitor your heating and cooling schedules based on your actual daily activity. Some models don’t even need to be programmed—you just turn them on and give them time to figure everything out on their own after a short amount of time.

So, no matter what your heating and cooling desires are, Precision Mechanical will help you find the best thermostat for your home and budget. You’ll end up with ultimate home comfort with potential energy savings. Call us at 605-206-3766 to hear more, or arrange an appointment with us online.