12 Features to Look For in a Modern Thermostat
A modern thermostat can reduce your carbon footprint and save on heating and cooling costs. They’re also an excellent investment because newer models are more future-proof than ever. Let’s explore the top dozen features that homeowners should consider.
1. Demand Response
Demand response is an opt-in program hosted by many local utility companies. It gives them access to your thermostat and lets them adjust it during peak demand. In return, you get a bill credit. The thermostat you choose must support demand response for you to participate. Homeowners should also ensure that the model purchased is on the approved list.
Some models have an energy-saving feature. These thermostats can override your schedule based on user-provided parameters to save you money. That includes adjusting based on peak, mid-peak, and non-peak energy rates.
2. Custom Scheduling
Programmable thermostats are digital thermostats that let you schedule them. Scheduling is a powerful feature that avoids spending on cooling and heating unnecessarily. The Department of Energy (DOE) estimates you’ll save 10% with a 7-10-degree setback for eight hours daily. Many households can achieve savings over 12 hours or more. Have the system reduce heating and cooling while sleeping and at work.
We also recommend considering advanced smart setback. Setback refers to the temperature adjustment period. There are inherent inefficiencies during these periods because a system uses more energy to change a temperature than to maintain it. Thermostats with a smart setback feature can optimize this transition to improve energy savings further.
3. Wi-Fi Capabilities
Wi-Fi capability is the core feature that separates a smart thermostat from a programmable thermostat. A smart thermostat can access the internet through your home network. That lets you monitor and control your thermostat remotely wherever you are. It’s also key to some of the other features on this list, such as smart home integration.
4. Automatic Updates
Experts encourage consumers to choose a thermostat that has updateable software. This lets the manufacturer improve and add features. It’s an important aspect of future-proofing. The brand can continue to update the thermostat as smart homes evolve.
Automatic updating is a smart thermostat feature that makes updateable software much more convenient. These units will automatically check the internet for software updates and install them as needed. Without this feature, you have to remember to check yourself. Without Wi-Fi, you’ll need to transfer the update to an SD card or similar storage.
5. Modes and Profiles
Profiles and modes make scheduling more powerful and convenient. The most common modes supported are hold and vacation. Hold mode lets you override programming, which is convenient, for instance, if you come home for lunch. Vacation mode allows you to set your HVAC system for an extended stay away from home. This is particularly powerful when you pair it with remote access and control.
Profiles encapsulate unique schedules. You could have a profile for Monday through Friday and another for the weekend. Some families may need a different profile for every day of the week. You can even have profiles for individual household members.
6. Geofencing
Scheduling isn’t perfect because not every household has a set schedule. Geofencing solves this through the use of the GPS on your phone. All household members pair their phones with the thermostat. The thermostat then knows when you’re home or not and can adjust accordingly. Some systems can even detect you on your commute home and get it ready for you just in time.
7. Energy Monitoring and Reporting
Energy monitoring is a powerful feature in several ways. An oft-overlooked benefit is that the thermostat can detect spikes in usage. Rising energy costs are often one of the first indications there’s an HVAC problem. It lets you schedule a diagnostic appointment early on and perhaps catch an issue before it requires an expensive repair.
This feature also tracks household usage by day, month, and year. Advanced systems can account for price differences. You’ll know when your costs are going up or down. Many thermostats also provide advanced reports showing where you’re saving and where you can be more efficient.
8. Color Display and Touch Screen
Many modern thermostats feature advanced LED screens that provide superior readability. You can set a background and text color that you like the best. Some systems support using these color combinations as visual cues. You may, for example, have a different color for heat mode than cool mode. A touchscreen is easier to use. It also provides more convenient access to embedded complexity. Some models even let you create virtual buttons for the features you use the most.
9. Smart Home Integration
A Wi-Fi thermostat is inherently a smart device. Most smart devices will work together because universal communication is a core aspect of the Internet of Things. That said, if you’re configuring a smart home, you’ll want to maximize that compatibility. Ensure that your new smart thermostat takes full advantage of your smart hub and the other smart devices you have added or will add to the network.
If you’ll use the thermostat as the central component rather than a hub or a personal assistant device, consider voice control. It will allow you to manipulate the unit without physically interacting with the UI. With Wi-Fi, you can talk to it from your phone wherever you are.
10. Advanced Controls
Ensure that the thermostat you choose is compatible with your system. Not all modern thermostats support dual-fuel heating or variable-speed blowers. If you have a ventilator or HVAC zoning, you’ll need a smart thermostat that supports it. You may also want to consider a unit that monitors relative humidity (RH), indoor air quality (IAQ), and so forth.
11. Remote Sensors
The traditional thermostat has an integrated temperature sensor. That’s why a central location and avoiding direct sunlight are crucial. Many modern thermostats support remote rather than integrated sensors. You can locate the thermostat wherever it’s most convenient. You can then put multiple sensors in optimal placements throughout and outside your home. You can have sensors other than for temperature, such as RH and carbon monoxide (CO).
12. Performance Monitoring and Alerts
Many modern thermostats will provide you with reminders. Your thermostat can remind you to change the air filter and schedule seasonal maintenance. Some models do this based on simple calendar settings. Others can access smart features that the HVAC system itself supports. The system may detect deviations in a motor or pump and alert you through the thermostat to schedule a checkup.
Smart Thermostats in Greater Metro Detroit
If you live in Roseville or anywhere throughout Greater Metro Detroit and want to install a new thermostat, C & C Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Our company offers many options, and our HVAC technicians install and configure all makes and models. Our HVAC team specializes in indoor air quality services, as well as, all ducted and ductless heating and cooling systems. We’re available 24/7 for emergency repairs and offer a membership that will save you money on seasonal HVAC maintenance. Our team installs, repairs, and cleans ductwork. We also install and service tank and tankless water heaters, air purifiers, humidity control systems, and ultraviolet lights. Call today or contact us online to schedule an on-site consultation or service appointment.
