Choosing A Smart Thermostat vs. Traditional in North Charleston, SC

You may be thinking about purchasing a thermostat for your North Charleston, SC, home. However, you might be in a dilemma on whether to buy a traditional or smart thermostat. What is the difference between the two, and how do you decide?

Smart Thermostats vs. Traditional Thermostats

Before learning the difference between a smart thermostat and a traditional thermostat, you need to understand how they operate. A conventional thermostat may be a manual or programmable thermostat. A manual thermostat provides you with the single option of turning the system on or off.

Programmable thermostats offer more advanced options because they allow you to automatically adjust the temperature settings in a way that suits your family’s needs. You can use a daily individual program if you’re at home all the time, or you can schedule the programmable thermostat to turn on just when you come back home.

The smart thermostat is the newest type of thermostat on the market. It has all the aspects of a programmable thermostat, but the difference is that you can control the smart thermostat using your internet-connected smartphone, tablet or smart speaker.

Smart thermostats learn your habits over time and adjust the temperatures to suit your needs. It has added features that give you additional control over the thermostat. Some common differences between traditional thermostats and smart thermostats are available below.

Programmable

To adjust the temperature settings using a traditional thermostat, you will have to check the thermostat’s readings and then manually change it to your desired temperature by dialing or pressing a button. After manually adjusting the temperature settings, you will notice a decrease or increase in your home temperature.

You can comfortably adjust the temperature settings on your smart thermostat from your smartphone or tablet. However, you will need a stable internet connection to access the smart thermostat from your device. You can also program the thermostat to cool or heat your home just before you return.

Ability to Learn and Adjust Accordingly

You will always have to use buttons to adjust the temperature settings when using a manual thermostat. Also, the programmable thermostat will only heat or cool your home if you program it beforehand. Therefore, traditional thermostats do not have an in-built system that allows them to anticipate your temperature needs.

However, the smart thermostat’s advanced technology will learn your temperature needs through the day and then adjust them accordingly. It will remember your schedule and can anticipate when you arrive from work and switch to your desired temperature needs.

Generating Data and Reports

A manual or programmable thermostat does not generate any monthly reports for you. These types also do not have in-built alert systems that warn you when your heater or AC has underlying issues. However, a smart thermostat offers the benefits of generating detailed monthly reports.

These reports show you how long your HVAC system has been running daily, weekly or monthly. It also offers total energy consumption and savings within the month. It will provide you with a monthly comparison plan and alert you when your HVAC system has any underlying problems.

Remote Control

You can only adjust a traditional thermostat while you are at home. You will also need to be in the same room and stand adjacent to the thermostat for you to adjust it. However, you can remotely control a smart thermostat from your smartphone or tablet.

Through an app, you can connect to your thermostat via Wi-Fi and easily change your home temperature when you are away on vacation or at work. Some smart thermostats have built-in voice command technology that lets you adjust the temperature through your voice.

You can link your thermostat with your phone’s geolocation thanks to geofencing. Thus, the smart thermostat will know when you are close to your home and adjust the temperature to suit your needs.

If you reside in North Charleston, SC, contact the HVAC technicians at AC Heating and Air Conditioning Services for professional thermostat installation services. We can help go over your options and select the right thermostat based on your needs and budget.

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