How Learning Thermostats are Different from Programmable Thermostats

December 04, 2018

Your thermostat is key to how much you are spending on energy costs. Simply programming your thermostat for periods when you’re sleeping or not at home can make a big impact without negatively affecting your comfort levels. Depending on the model of your thermostat, you can do a whole lot more to make an even bigger impact.

At B & G HVAC, we’ve got a selection of programmable thermostats to meet your needs—from the most simple models to the state-of-the-art learning thermostats. How can you know what is best for your space? First, research the difference between basic programmable thermostats and advanced learning models. Either of these can help you save energy and money, but you’ll want to determine which features are most important to your home comfort.

Most programmable thermostats will allow you to schedule your days to control temperatures when you’re usually there and away. Depending on the model you choose, you may be able to enter one schedule, which you may end up overriding on weekends or other days you’re home. Some models will permit you to program your weekdays on one schedule and your weekends on a different one. You’ll also want to review the number of periods during each day you can set up. For instance, will you want the temperature in your house different when you sleep, when you wake up, when you’re at work and when you are home in the evening? Be sure the thermostat you select can accommodate your needs.

For some homeowners, being able to set a regular schedule (or two) and override it when needed is all they need. But if you want more flexibility, it’s probably time to buy a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat allows you to completely customize a heating and cooling schedule for each individual day of the week.

Smart thermostats don’t just add more flexibility, but they’re also Wi-Fi enabled so you can control your home’s temperature from anywhere. Some types of smart thermostats take innovation even further—these are called “learning thermostats.” Learning thermostats do everything a regular smart thermostat can do, but they can also learn from your behaviors and monitor your heating and cooling schedules based on your household’s activity throughout the day. Some models don’t even need to be programmed—you just turn them on and they will figure everything out on their own after a short amount of time.

So, no matter what your heating and cooling desires are, B & G HVAC will help you find the best thermostat for your home and budget. You’ll get to enjoy ultimate home comfort with potential energy savings. Give us a call at 641-316-3360 to learn more, or book an appointment with us online.