What is a Programmable Thermostat?
If you have had your HVAC system for awhile, you probably have a thermostat that allows you to walk to the wall, set or reset the temperature in your home, and know that the AC and heat in your home will adjust to keep your home generally conditioned to the temperature you chose. That was pretty great technology for years and you got used to the nuances of your thermostat.
Programmable thermostats use that technology and improve upon it by allowing you to program your thermostat to change the temperature in your home at different times of the day, for a set period of time, or even for zones of your home – depending on the thermostat and system you have.
What are the Benefits of a Programmable Thermostat?
Programmable thermostats are a more tailored solution for your heating and cooling needs. Because of this, they allow you and your family to enjoy two MAJOR benefits:
Energy Efficiency. Think about it this way: If your car was sitting outside constantly running while you were at work all day, your battery would die. If someone drove your car in circles around the parking lot while you were at work all day, your car would run out of fuel. Over time, this would also put a great deal of wear-and-tear on your vehicle for no reason. Your heating and air conditioning system is the same way! If you are needlessly heating or cooling your home while everyone is at work – or while you’re on vacation – you’re using up a TON of energy which will deteriorate your system, waste resources, and cost you big bucks on your energy bill. By prompting your system to be used when you need it (and letting it rest when you don’t) you can save in every way.
Customized Comfort. You know how it is in Austin. Let’s say it’s March. Monday got up to 72 degrees and sunny, so you kicked down the heat because you didn’t need it. It took a while to release some of the heat in your home so things were stuffy for a while but you opened a couple windows – no big deal. Then, you check the weather for tomorrow and surprise! Tuesday morning calls for a much lower temperature of 48. Do you kick up the heat Tuesday night before bed and sweat while it’s still toasty in the house? Or do you wait and kick it up in the morning when your toes are frozen, then wait for it to come around and warm the whole house? If you have a programmable thermostat you can set it at 10 PM the night before and tell it to kick on around 2 AM – when your family is fast asleep – so that your barefoot walk to the bathroom is balmy as ever.
Beyond these benefits, it is also easier and more immediate for you to notice if something isn’t quite right with your system, which can lead to a quicker and less expensive repair if something does go wrong.
Can I Keep My Existing Thermostat Instead?
Of course. We can tailor any new installation or existing unit to your existing thermostat. You will lose the benefits listed above by sticking with a traditional thermostat but the choice is yours! Likewise, we can install a programmable thermostat on your existing system without any other upgrades.
To schedule an install of your new, shiny programmable thermostat, contact the experts at McCullough today! (512) 866-9821
