When choosing the right model for your home, you’ll have to identify what type of HVAC system you currently rely on. There are two types of thermostats, commonly referred to as:
- Line voltage: these are used to regulate systems that use electricity to heat homes, such as baseboard heating.
- Low voltage: these control systems depend on central furnaces, boilers, or heat pumps.
After recognizing the heating system that you currently use, you'll have to select which type of model you're interested in installing.
Here are some of the three major types:
Manual Thermostats
This is the most common and least expensive option. Although they cannot connect to Wi-Fi or other programmable networks, they are a safe and reliable choice for anyone who prefers manually changing the temperature themselves.
Programmable Thermostats
Through pre-scheduled programming, these thermostats can change the temperature throughout the day. Although they depend on manual programming, they come in handy for homeowners who know how they’d like their temperature throughout the day. If you like to sleep in colder rooms and wake up to a warmer temperature, a programmable option might be a great fit for you.
Smart Thermostats
The most innovative and cutting-edge out of the three options, smart thermostats, can be controlled through a smartphone and are usually Wi-Fi enabled. They earn the name "smart" due to the fact that they can adjust temperatures based on movement within the home. They come in handy, particularly for those on vacation, allowing them to always control what's going on.
Additional features available on modern thermostats include:
- Indicator lights
- Vacation mode
- LED and touch screen controls
- Night mode
