Know When it’s Time to Update your Thermostat

Do you give much thought to your thermostat when you pass by it multiple times per day? If not, you’re not alone. The majority of homeowners don’t realize how important this small piece of equipment is but it literally controls the overall comfort level of your home! When your home was built, it was likely equipped with a very basic thermostat. There are now some very detailed and convenient thermostats that can increase the overall efficiency of your home and help with energy savings. How do you know when it’s time to replace your current unit with a smart thermostat? Here’s what to watch out for.

Your Thermostat Isn’t Keeping the Correct Temperature

There should be a reading on your thermostat that tells you what the temperature inside your home is currently. It will also display the temperature at which your thermostat is set – the temperature it’s supposed to be inside your home. If you feel like your indoor temperature isn’t what it’s supposed to be, you can purchase a simple stand-alone thermostat to double check. If you find that your wall mounted unit isn’t displaying the right temperature, it’s time to purchase a new unit that will help you maintain comfortable temperatures.

Not Energy Efficient

You can utilize programmable thermostats to increase the overall efficiency of your home and save money. You do this by finding a thermostat that allows you to program different temperatures for different days and times. That way, you won’t have to leave your furnace running at a higher temperature in the winter (or your AC in the summer) if you’re not going to be home. However, it can run a program so the temperature adjusts shortly before you arrive home, making it the perfect temperature for you once you get there. You can also use this feature to minimize your furnace’s workload at night when you’re sleeping or when you’re going on vacation.

Your Utility Bills are Higher than Normal

If your heating and cooling costs are starting to really creep up each month, you may be in need of routine maintenance or repairs for your HVAC system, but your thermostat may also be to blame. If it’s malfunctioning, this could result in your furnace or air conditioning unit running longer than it needs to, causing your bills to skyrocket.

The Benefits of a Smart Thermostat

There are a number of benefits that are associated with the purchase of a new smart thermostat. Let’s take a look at what you can accomplish in the way of achieving comfortable temperatures inside of your home while also focusing on the ability to save money.

WiFi / Phone App Control

These new smart thermostats often allow you to download an app onto your phone that lets you control your HVAC system from wherever you are. You can adjust the temperature from work or while on vacation. You can monitor the current power usage of your unit as well. This helps you make smarter decisions about how you’re going to program your thermostat.

Personalized Scheduling

The schedule that you choose to run your heating and cooling equipment on is completely up to you. You’ll have endless options to add in different days and times where your indoor temperature will either go up or down. A lot of stand-alone units only allow you a few different settings before the schedule is full.

Saving Money

There are a number of ways that you can save money on your heating and cooling equipment. Investing in a new thermostat is one of them. This isn’t a major purchase, but the little bit of money that you invest now will make a big difference in how much money you save in the long run. Not only will your bank account be happy, but you’ll be happy with how comfortable and cozy your home is year-round.

By keeping your indoor temperature set to as modest of a degree as possible for as long as possible, you’re reducing your carbon footprint as well as reducing your utility costs. It may take you a little bit of time to figure out how you want to set your indoor temperatures, but you can make as many changes as you would like until you get it right.

For over four decades, KELLEHER has been building a reputation in the Richmond area by installing and maintaining high-quality home comfort systems. Let our family help your family with your home comfort needs. We can provide you with routine maintenance, emergency repairs, the installation of new HVAC equipment or smart thermostat, and much more. Reach out to us today to find out more about how upgrading your current thermostat can benefit your comfort level as well as your wallet.