Different Types of Thermostats and Which one is Best for You

Different Types of Thermostats and Which one is Best for You

Thermostat are the devices that control the temperature of your air conditioning system. The device is important in making sure that the heating and cooling system in your home is working properly. Using the thermostat correctly can save you an enormous amount on your energy bills.

One important factor to look for when you purchase a thermostat is the ENERGY STAR symbol. And when it comes to the types of thermostats, they are categorized into two basic types, Line-voltage thermostats and Low-voltage thermostats.

Line voltage thermostats are used in single heating systems like baseboards and radiant systems. These thermostats are installed in series with heaters. In this kind of connection, the electric current flows through the thermostat and the heater. However, when the thermostat reaches the set room temperature it shuts off even before the heater brings the room to the set temperature.

Low voltage thermostats are probably more efficient in controlling the flow of electric current. These kinds of thermostats are mostly used in central heating systems that use oil, gas and electricity. A low voltage thermostat not only helps you control current but also allows you to easily use the programmable controls mainly because they operate at 24V to 50V.

1. Programmable thermostats

A programmable thermostat helps adjust the temperature in your house automatically according to preset times. This allows you to conserve energy because it minimizes the temperature when you are away from the house and maximize the temperature when you’re home. These thermostats are available in several models. Simpler ones let you to program different daytime and nighttime temperatures whereas the more advanced ones can be programmed to adjust the temperature in different ways for a number of days and times of the week.

2. Mechanical thermostats

These are line voltage thermostats that are pretty easy to use. These thermostats operate by being triggered by metal bars that heat up or cool down. These are the easiest and the cheapest thermostats available. They have either vapor-filled bellows or bi-metallic strips that react to different temperatures. However, mechanical thermostats are considered to be unreliable, especially the cheaper ones that use bi-metallic strips.

3. Non Programmable digital thermostats

Non programmable digital thermostats are other kind of thermostats that can be controlled with a digital display. They are similar to the mechanical thermostats, but the major difference is they have no metal coil like the mechanical thermostats do, instead they have an electric temperature sensor. A tiny microprocessor that is set inside this thermostat sends ‘start’ or ‘stop’ commands to the heating or cooling system based on the reading it takes and the chosen temperature setting.

4. Electronic thermostats

Most electronic thermostats are low voltage, but you can have them for line-voltage purposes also. These devices have a sensor that can detect when the temperature moves above or below the set room temperature. They come built-in with convenient features like automatic setback and programmability. Electronic thermostats are more expensive than the mechanical ones, but they can keep a room at the particular temperature as desired.