A thermostat heater is a primary device to keep the desired temperature with your heating and cooling system. Using them with a heating and cooling system drastically adds to indoor comfort and saves energy. On average, an electric heater with a thermostat saves 8% on energy bills, making them compulsory at home.
Efficient heating, along with cost-saving at your home, rely on selecting the right thermostat.
Melbourne’s weather is harsh. It requires using a heating and a cooling system. Whether you use a ducted or reverse-cycle heating and cooling system using gas or electricity, achieving thermal control is necessary. Too cold or too hot temperatures are intolerable. A thermostat keeps the indoor environment at a desired temperature and adds certain features to ease users.
Selecting the right thermostat that fits your heating and cooling system is tricky. Here is a detailed overview of things that will guide you in choosing the right thermostat for your heating system.
Types of Thermostats:
First thing you must consider while choosing a thermostat heater is its type. Let’s explore some common types to know which of them work with the heating and cooling system you have at your home.
Manual Thermostats
With mercury filled in the tube, manual thermostats are the most basic type available. They keep the temperature fixed at the selected point and require manual input to change it. Let’s consider some pros and cons of manual thermostat heaters.
Pros:
- Affordable.
- Simple to install.
- Easy to use.
- Mainly used for under floors heating systems.
Cons:
- Not compatible with all types of heating and cooling systems.
- Not programmable.
Manual thermostats may or may not have a digital display and are usually compatible with hydronic and electric heating systems.
Programmable Thermostats
As the name indicates, programmable thermostats are adjustable. They run on and off on a pre-set schedule, controlling time and temperature automatically. Programmable thermostats add to the convenience of efficient temperature control. Consider the under-mentioned details before you get a programmable thermostat.
Pros:
- Automatically turn the heating and cooling system on and off at a fixed time.
- Can schedule different temperatures for multiple parts of the day or week.
- Adds convenience and temperature control.
- They are a cost-effective option.
Cons:
- Can not connect to the internet.
- Lack of voice control, remote control and automation facilities.
Programmable thermostat heaters are electromagnetic, digital, or sometimes a mixture. They work best with the HVAC system. and increase efficiency while cutting down the running costs.
Smart Thermostats
The smart thermostat is an Energy Star-labelled thermostat that allows controlling temperature using internet-connected devices. The technology offers optimum temperature control with ease. Some smart thermostat heaters note users’ temperature preferences and use the data to automate the temperature settings. Let’s explore the pros and cons of smart thermostats.
Pros:
- Environment friendly and energy efficient.
- More balanced temperature control.
- Remote access to your heating and cooling system.
- Automated temperature control without requiring manual input.
Cons:
- High purchasing and installation price.
- Not compatible with all HVAC systems.
- More chances of breakdown or malfunctioning than programmable and manual thermostats.
Smart thermostats are the most advanced thermostat heaters and are compatible with majority of advanced heating and cooling systems with a c-wire. You can also use an AC adapter to connect the smart thermostat. You need a centralized HVAC system, a WiFi connection, and a smartphone to run the smart thermostat heaters.
Factors To Consider While Choosing The Thermostat
Whether you have a gas or electric heater, with a thermostat, you maximize its efficiency. But you can’t just go to the market and purchase any thermostat heater, rather you need to consider multiple factors for choosing the right one.
Heating System Compatibility
Your choice of thermostat mainly depends on its compatibility with the heating system. The heating system and thermostat must be compatible to obtain temperature comfort and savings on your bills. Not all thermostat heaters support all types of heating systems. Choice also varies if you have a one-stage or two-stage heating system.
You may require different thermostats if you have a separate heating and cooling system or zone control. It is mainly a concern when opting for a smart thermostat with HVAC.
Energy Efficiency Features
One of the goals for investing in a thermostat heater is to save on energy and energy bills. The modern thermostat comes with energy-efficiency features, including remote control, WiFi connection and remote access using a smartphone, along with automatic time and temperature control features. Some thermostats also have additional energy efficiency features such as power cycle, filter replacement reminders, and using data to set the temperature and vacation scheduling properties automatically.
You must also check Government’s energy smart tips to save on energy bills.
Budget Considerations
Your choice of a thermostat is highly influenced by how much you are willing to spend on buying one. A manual thermostat costs around $ 80, while the smart and most modern ones cost up to $400. Installation charges are charged separately, further increasing the price.
Due to budget constraints, you may want to give up on quality features that save energy and money in the long run. A thermostat can help save up to 10* on energy bills. In short, one should select a thermostat heater with excellent features within the budget and offering energy efficiency.
User Friendliness And Control Options
It is important that a thermostat with the most advanced features has great control options and is easy to use. Users can control thermostat heaters using remote controls on their smartphones or computer. You can also set up automatic settings using temperature sensors to turn on and off the heating system automatically.
Melbourne’s Climate Considerations
The average annual Melbourne temperature is 14.8 °C. The city experiences cold days when the temperature falls to freezing point in winter and some hottest days too when the temperature reaches 40 °C. or above. The wide range of temperatures makes it mandatory to control indoor temperature. While choosing the thermostat, you must select the one that allows setting temperature to a broader range so the internal temperature is not too cold or too hot for the family members.
Additional Features and Compatibility
You may wish to get a lot of features with your new thermostat, but here is a catch. A complex thermostat is prone to more errors and malfunction. But at the same time, they are beneficial for temperature control and energy saving. You must choose a modern thermostat with advanced features that is compatible with the existing heating and cooling system and other smart devices at home.
Always select thermostat heaters with good features and from reputed brands that offer warranty and excellent after-purchase services.
Installation And Professional Assistance
Although many thermostats come with a DIY instruction label allowing them to install a thermostat on their own, it is a challenging job, and you may require professional help. They are trained to offer installation services and assistance. The professionals help install the thermostat without errors and can also help you select the best thermostat according to your system requirements.
If you are looking for a professional to guide you with the best thermostat and install it perfectly, click here to talk to the experts at Surrey Air.
Conclusion
A wide range of thermostat heaters are available in the market, but one must only choose the one compatible with the heating systems. Considering factors like budget user-friendliness, control options, additional features, energy efficiency, and the climate of Melbourne can help you choose the right one.
You may require professional services for installation or do it yourself following the manuals. Researching and making informed decisions is crucial to saving money and improving temperature control.
