Programmable or Smart: Which Thermostat Is Right for You?

Trying to decide between a programmable or a smart thermostat for your Vero Beach, Florida, home? Each offers excellent benefits, making it hard to know which one to choose. Both smart and programmable thermostats allow you to schedule temperature adjustments. But smart thermostats offer more features for a higher cost.

Programmable Thermostats

Programmable thermostats allow you to schedule temperature changes throughout the day for every day of the week. For example, you can set a programmable thermostat to keep your home at 75 degrees during the day and at 68 degrees at night. You simply program your desired temperatures and let the thermostat take care of the rest.

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats, also referred to as WiFi-enabled thermostats, connect to your home’s WiFi. Not only can you program temperature changes into a smart thermostat, but they can also learn your habits and adjust the temperature automatically without any input from you.

Since smart thermostats are Wi-Fi integrated, you can use your phone or tablet to pull up the data they measure and record from anywhere. In addition to temperature information, smart thermostats can give you data about your energy usage and humidity levels. They can also send you alerts to change your filter or schedule a preventive maintenance appointment.

Which One is Right for You?

According to Energy Star, both smart and programmable thermostats will save you about 8 percent on your energy bills annually, so they’re both great options. Which one is right for you depends on what you expect from a thermostat and how much you want to spend. A smart thermostat is the more convenient option since you can access it when you’re away from home.

However, if you’re not interested in all the bells and whistles, a programmable thermostat may be the ideal choice for you. They work well and are a little less expensive than their smart counterparts. Whichever one you choose, make sure it’s compatible with your HVAC system before purchasing.

Ready to upgrade your thermostat? Give the HVAC professionals at Barker Heating and Air Conditioning a call today at 772-562-2103.

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