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HOW TO PICK THE RIGHT THERMOSTAT FOR YOUR SYSTEM?

Choosing the right thermostat can have a significant impact on the comfort of your home as well as your energy bills. The type of thermostat you choose is also critical to achieving the desired level of comfort in your home. Mechanical thermostats are basic, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive, but they are not as precise in regulating temperature as other types of thermostats. Here are some steps you can follow to make the decision-making process easier:

Identify your HVAC system:

Your HVAC system could be a heat pump, furnace, boiler etc. Knowing the type of system you have will help you narrow down your options. Some thermostats work better with certain systems than others, so it is important to choose the right one for your needs.

Determine your budget:

Thermostats can range from simple and affordable to complex and expensive. It is important to determine how much you are willing to spend on your new thermostat. Keep in mind that a higher-priced thermostat may have additional features that could save you money on your energy bills in the long run, so it may be worth the investment.

Choose the features you want:

Modern thermostats offer a variety of features to make your life easier and your home more comfortable. Some of the most popular features include programmable settings, Wi-Fi capabilities, and voice-activated controls. Determine which features are important to you and would improve your comfort and convenience.

Choose the type of thermostat:

There are three main types of thermostats: mechanical, programmable, and smart. Each type has its own advantages, disadvantages, and features.

Mechanical thermostats are basic and rely on a bimetallic strip or a coiled bimetallic wire wound into a helix to regulate temperature. They are easy to use and relatively inexpensive, but are not as precise as more modern options.
Programmable thermostats allow you to set schedules for heating and cooling your home. They are more accurate and energy-efficient than mechanical thermostats, but require a little more programming effort.
Smart thermostats are the most advanced option, with features that are designed to learn your preferences and adjust settings accordingly. They are compatible with most HVAC systems and come with many advantages, such as remote access via phone application, energy usage reports, and compatibility with voice-controlled speakers.

Check the compatibility of the thermostat:

Before you invest in a new thermostat, make sure it is compatible with your HVAC system. You can find this information on the manufacturer’s website or speak with an HVAC technician. By adhering to the above steps, you can choose the right thermostat for your heating and cooling system, ensuring a comfortable and energy-efficient home that meets your budget and desired features.

LOOK AT THE BLOWER SECTION NOMENCLATURE
This can be found on one of the air handler or furnace panels. Heat Pump Air handlers generally use (2) Heat / (1) Cool Thermostats, at least, but can have additional Heating or Cooling modes (e.g., (3) Heat / (2) Cool, etc.) depending on your advanced HVAC setup (e.g., Dual Fuel; Multiple Thermostats; Zoned Systems, etc.). Heat pumps use (2) Heat – that is a (2) modes for heat, heat pump “Heating”, and a mode for “Emergency / Auxiliary Heating”; and, (1) mode for “Cooling”. Note, there is not second or backup cooling mode (unfortunately) on most heat pump or straight cool air conditioners. Furnaces traditionally use (1) Heat / (1) Cool Thermostats, (1) mode for gas heat (furnaces do not have emergency, auxiliary, or back-up heat), and (1) “Cooling” mode for the straight cool system.
DETERMINE IF YOU WILL NEED A WIFI COMPATIBLE THERMOSTAT
Each household or business has different needs, but if you need to control your climate remotely, then a WIFI thermostat is for you.
!!! ALWAYS TURN OFF THE MAIN PANEL BREAKERS TO BOTH UNITS BEFORE INSTALLING A NEW THERMOSTAT !!!
You will ruin your thermostat and components in your equipment if your try to install a thermostat with the power on.
TAKE A PICTURE OF THE EXISTING THERMOSTAT’S WIRING BEFORE REMOVING IT
Trust me, you will want this picture to refer to when you go to hook up the new thermostat wiring. Especially to make sure the wires being used are the same colors as listed on the installation instructions, because its possible a wire was swapped because it shorted, at some point, or that the prior install person didn’t use traditional HVAC wiring colors. With a picture, you can always cross-reference what the unit was working using before, and which wire went to which terminal.