These thermostats are most useful for residents of areas that experience drastic temperature changes. The US South, for instance, experiences hot days and cold nights for much of the year. You can program this type of digital thermostat for both of those eventualities separately.
Some models now even have smartphone compatibility. Using a basic Wi-Fi connection, you can change your thermostat’s settings right from your phone or tablet.
Pros
More opportunities for customization
Perfect for those in areas with drastic temperature changes
The possibility of Wi-fi functionality
Cons
More expensive than non-programmable alternatives
These are the latest models in thermostat technology. They use advanced learning algorithms to automatically adjust the temperature of your house to suit your preferences.
This means that after you set the temperature a certain way enough times, a smart thermostat will automatically program that in as your pattern. This way, you don’t have to worry about racking up your utility bill because you forgot to set the thermostat for the night, for a business trip, or for a busy workday.
Most come with Wi-fi connectivity that allows you to change the temperature with your phone or tablet for easy access to your settings.
Pros
Smart technology promotes customization
Learning algorithms provide a convenient, automatic helper when it comes to setting the thermostat for different times of the day, week, or year
Wi-fi connectivity is convenient
Cons
These are the most expensive models you can buy
Wi-Fi in this case means that the device can get connected to a wireless network and be accessed and controlled through it. What that means is that the device can be accessed and adjusted remotely, hence the convenience of total control even when no physically next to the thermostat.
Pros
Wireless thermostats give you the freedom to access and control it anywhere, even if you aren’t in the same building it is installed.
give you the option of changing pre-set values on a running programmed routine.
It is highly economical and comes with lower utility bills in the long run.
Cons
A wireless thermostat is very pricey.
As the name suggests, these are the kind of thermostats with no hard buttons for operation, but instead have a touch-sensitive display, much like that of smartphones. Settings are made via touching the options visible on the screen and can sometimes require several sequences of touching before getting a particular setting set.
Pros
Since it does not feature buttons, there are lower chances of someone accidentally hitting a button.
It makes the process of programming easier and quicker.
Cons
Not all touchscreen models are made to comfortably accommodate people with large fingers.
Touchscreen thermostats may also have a complicated interface, requiring some effort and patience for novice users to learn all the settings.
This is the most recent invention in thermostat technology. A learning thermostat has all the benefits of programmable thermostats, except that it only requires manual programming for the first few times you use it. Afterward, it can predict your preferences, by which time it will start to set programs automatically.
A learning thermostat can connect to a wireless network, which allows you to set, monitor, and manage it remotely from a smartphone or computer. This thermostat will only work efficiently for people with consistent or predictable schedules. Without consistency, it can’t learn your preferences effectively.
Recently, many high-end thermostats feature a communication system. The communicating thermostat lets you set and monitor programs simply by talking to it. It h as advanced features that go beyond other types of thermostat devices, such as troubleshooting assistance, adjusting features, and furnace settings directly from the thermostat and maintenance warnings.
These have a single/ double-stage, heating or cooling temperature controller which uses a liquid-filled sensing element and also has a capillary. It contains concealed set point-deals w ith regulating differential and it will switch line voltages. This unit uses 120 VAC or 240 VAC to operate. These are less common than the other types for home use.
Fan-coil/ proportional thermostats can work with 24v DC, 120v and 240v AC systems. They are designed for Building Automation systems and used in residential buildings. It can be used in both manual/ automatic modes to change the remote thermistor temperature sensor. They typically have the following features:
Fan & system-switching models
Remote sensor capability
Control multiple fans
These usually have a digital or multistage 7-day programmable/ non-programmable Proportional-Integral thermostat. These can be used to control a heat pump for both cooling/ heating applications. Different brands have diverse functions like fan switching with Internal or remote sensor capabilities. They tend to have a simp le menu with around 10-20 configurable parameters to play with. Other features include:
Three status LEDs (fan, heating & cooling)
System switching (Off/ auto/ cooling/ heating)
LCD
Cycles per hour for cooling/ heating
Fahrenheit/ Celsius Operation
Engaging the set-points
Supply voltage 20 to 25 VAC.
Note that many regular thermostats cannot be used with a Heat-Pump system.
These are installed in series with heaters and it mostly runs on 120v or 240v AC mains power. They work in a way that current flows through the thermos tat and into the heater. They use thick wires (2 or 4 wire) which are coming out from their back. As well as being used with regular systems, they are also used with electric heaters that draw a large amount of current and voltage.
These thermostats are more efficient for controlling airflow. Because of this, low-voltage thermostats are used in central HVAC systems that use electricity, gas, and oil as well as water heating systems. Low-voltage thermostats allow you to accurately control the air current and make it easier to use programmab le controls. Low-voltage thermostats operate on 24V to 50V, whereas line-voltage thermostats operate on 240V.
These incorporate a vapor-charged sensing element. They are designed to transfer a set-point such that when the main contact opens, the auxiliary contact closes instantaneously. Important applications of Low/ high limit thermostats include the shutdown of a ventilation system and Building Automation Systems that indicate low/ high temperature. They’re not typically used in home systems.
So, now you know everything you needed to know about different types of thermostats. If you enjoy this article in Linquip, let us know what you think by leaving a reply in the comment section. We will be more than glad to have your viewpoint on the article. Is there any question we can help you with? Feel free to sign up on our website where our experts are prepared to provide you with the most professional advice.