Thermostats

Thermostats are gadgets that control the temperature inside the room. They’re pretty much the control system of any heating or cooling device. Thermostats in the past used to be mechanical but now, there are a lot of electronic units that make life more convenient. Most thermostats work by adjusting the temperature automatically when the room temperature falls below or rises above a certain temperature. The thermostat is usually a few degrees apart from the desired temperature, otherwise known as a “set point.” For instance, if you set your thermostat at 40 degrees Celsius but it doesn’t maintain the set point, the temperature will adjust and fluctuate between 39 degrees and 41 degrees. Modern models of some thermostats can also control the settings of an air conditioner or any cooling device.

The thermostat can bring a lot of convenience in your life. If you place your thermostat on the right spot, you don’t have to go to the air conditioner or heater frequently just to adjust the room temperature. This is very helpful, especially at night when everyone is asleep. Having a thermostat also cuts down the expenses on energy because it turns on itself only when it is needed to maintain a certain temperature. Taking advantage of the programmable settings of a thermostat can save you as much as 30% of the electricity spent on heating. There are also adjustable features when the whole household will go away for a vacation.

Types of Thermostats

There are three types of thermostats electromechanical, digital manual, and digital programmable. The first one, electromechanical, is the oldest model among the three. Even if there are digital models already, some people still prefer this because it’s cheap but still effective. The mechanism of the electromechanical thermostat is very interesting. When the temperature rises, the two metal strips coiled together expand. The coil winds or unwinds as the metal strips expand. Consequently, the winding or unwinding coil tips the mercury over and rolls. The electric current flows as the mercury rolls between the wires. This is what turns on the furnace. It is the winding and unwinding of the coils that control the heating device. The desired temperature is reached when the mercury is at an even level. While the electromechanical device is cheap, the tipping of the mercury bottle is not accurate enough compared to the mechanism of the digital thermostat.

The digital thermostats essentially have the same mechanism as the electromechanical thermostat. However, the metal coils that sandwich the bottle of mercury are replaced with an electronic temperature sensor. There is a microprocessor inside the digital thermostat that compares the temperature it records from the room to the temperature of your choice. With the digital manual thermostat, you have to get up and adjust the heating or the cooling system yourself. The digital manual thermostat is far more accurate than the electromechanical thermostat, however, it still requires adjustment on your part.

If you want to avoid manually adjusting your thermostats you can get one that’s programmable. They function like the digital manual thermostat. The difference though is the digital programmable thermostat allows the user to program the thermostat according to his or her preferences making it more convenient. You just have to program the thermostat once and let it do the rest of the work. You only need re-program the thermostat when the season or the weather changes. Many homes have a digital thermostat because it saves them the hassle of constantly readjusting. Plus, the digital thermostat – both manual and programmable – doesn’t contain mercury. It’s friendlier to the environment than the electromechanical thermostat.

While digital thermostats are more accurate than electromechanical ones, changes in their temperature settings still have to be done manually. Digital thermostats – both manual and programmable – also contain no mercury, making them more environmentally friendly. The digital programmable thermostat can generally be programmed in four settings. You can have one program for just one day. There are also programming settings for separating weekends and weekdays. You can separate 2 days from each other while keeping the rest of the 5 days uniformly programmed. Finally, you can program each day of the week differently.

Choosing a Thermostat

The common question among first-time thermostat users is the quality of an in-built or a wall mount thermostat. Each kind of thermostat has its own advantages. An in-built thermostat is better when you’ve already finished building your walls. A lot of people still rely on wall thermostats for controlling room temperature because it is more accurate and convenient. Plus, there are more models to choose from.

Remember to place the thermostat in a room that is always used by people. It should be installed in a space that’s far from anything that will disrupt its temperature reading abilities like direct sunlight, obstructive appliances, drafts, wall decor, shelves, etc. Also, your thermostat must be compatible with your heating or cooling system. Your thermostat must not be located near the heating or cooling device. Put it in a place where it has access to unrestricted air flow so it can control the temperature better. Putting a thermostat too close to the heating or cooling device can shorten their lifespan. You have to check the wiring and the terminals of your heating or cooling system before you proceed with your thermostat purchase.

It’s also important to choose a thermostat according to its schedule-making abilities. You can get a thermostat that can only set one schedule if the temperature does not fluctuate in the room. If you’re in a room susceptible to weather changes, you can get a thermostat that can accommodate 2 or more schedules.

Don’t forget to choose your line voltage system accordingly. Single pole thermostats are good for vacation homes in places with cold climates. You cannot take away the power to your system. You can lower the temperature to stop heat from overheating the place but when you get a low temperature, the thermostat activates the heat. Double pole thermostats works for a place where you need to shut off power to the entire unit. This is ideal for homes that shut off completely at night or homes that power down during the summer.

In the end, the best thermostats all depend on your needs and preferences.