Programmable Thermostat Installation Doesn't Have to Be Hard

With a programmable thermostat, you can set your home's temperature higher or lower (depending on the season) when nobody's around to save money on energy bills. But as easy as it may look, programmable thermostat installation is a process you shouldn't take lightly. Even the smallest error can affect your entire HVAC system and cause costly damage. Let's take a look at what installation entails and why DIY installation isn't a good idea.

Programmable Thermostat Installation Requirements

To install a programmable thermostat correctly, you'll need basic electrical knowledge and a good understanding of your HVAC equipment.

Some types of programmable thermostats are incompatible with some HVAC equipment. For example, the common smart thermostats are not compatible with line voltage HVAC systems. What's more, even if a programmable thermostat is compatible with your equipment, you'll need to ensure that you have enough wires for proper installation.

If you lack expertise in wiring when setting up newer programmable thermostats, you risk electrocuting yourself. You could also send excessive current through the device and damage it. Other consequences of incorrect programmable thermostat installation include:

• Blowing your circuit breaker

• Poor thermostat location, leading to HVAC inefficiency

• Damage to the electrical system or HVAC system

Warranty

Manufacturers usually protect themselves from user negligence. Therefore, installing the thermostat yourself and causing damage in the process is likely to result in the loss of warranty coverage. Some manufacturers even void the warranty if a professional doesn't install the device. Consequently, you'll pay for damages out of pocket if the thermostat malfunctions unexpectedly.

Installing a thermostat incorrectly could lead to damage worth hundreds or thousands of dollars. To avoid damage and injury, you should hire an HVAC professional. If you need programmable thermostat installation or repair services in the Broken Arrow area, contact us at Air Assurance. We've helped our satisfied residential and commercial clients efficiently meet their comfort needs since 1985.

Manual vs Programmable vs Smart: Which Thermostat Option is Right for Your Home?

The thermostat is a vital part of your home comfort system. It's tasked with keeping the indoor temperature at your desired level. Thermostat technology has advanced by leaps and bounds. Thermostats now range from manual to programmable to smart. Each type has its own set of advantages. Let's delve deeper into these thermostat options to help you establish the best choice for your needs.

Manual Thermostats

More often than not, these simple devices are found in older homes. They usually have a manual dial that you have to rotate to adjust the desired temperature. Digital manual thermostats have up and down arrows instead of dials.

Programmable Thermostats

These thermostats adjust your home's temperature automatically. For example, in the winter, you can program them to cool your home down a little while you're at work to avoid wasting energy on an empty house and start heating it up before you return. The predetermined schedule you can give these devices to operate by varies from one model to another. Some only allow you to create one schedule whereas others can allow two or more different schedules.

Smart Thermostats

These offer all the benefits of programmable thermostats. Additionally, you can control them with your smartphone, allow them to learn your routines and adapt to them, and even use them to monitor your energy usage.

What's The Best Option For You?

Manual thermostats can be inconvenient and imprecise. Also, they don't offer any energy savings. If you still own one, you should upgrade to a programmable or smart model. If cost is a significant consideration or you just want something to help you program your HVAC system while you're away, you can go for a programmable thermostat. But if you're tech savvy and want maximum control and convenience, a smart thermostat is your best bet.Upgrading your thermostat will help you maximize the efficiency of your heating and cooling system and lower your energy bills. If you need installation, repair, or replacement of any of the above thermostat options in the Broken Arrow area, contact the professionals at Air Assurance.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.