How Learning Thermostats are Different from Programmable Thermostats

December 04, 2018

Your thermostat is a big part of how much you’re paying on your utility bills. Simply programming your thermostat for times when you’re sleeping or away can make a big impact without having a negative affect on your comfort levels. Depending on the type of programmable thermostat you purchase, you might benefit from a lot of additional features.

At Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc, we’ve got a selection of programmable thermostats to meet your needs—from the most simple models to the most modern learning thermostats. How do you know what will work best for you? First, take the time to understand 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.

All programmable thermostats will give you the chance to schedule your days to control temperatures when you’re usually there and away. Depending on the model you select, you might be able to record one schedule, which you may end up overriding on days you are actually home. Some models will permit you to program your weekdays on one schedule and your weekends on another. You’ll also want to review the number of periods you can set up during the day. For instance, will you want the temps 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 choose can meet your needs.

For some people, being able to establish a regular schedule (or two) and override it when needed is enough. But if you want additional flexibility, it’s probably time to consider a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat allows you to completely customize a heating and cooling schedule for each individual day of the week.

Flexibility isn’t the only benefit that smart thermostats provide, but they’re also Wi-Fi enabled so you can control your home’s temperature no matter where you are. 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 actual daily activity. Some models don’t even need to be programmed—you just turn them on and give them time to figure everything out on their own after a short amount of time.

So, no matter what your heating and cooling wants are, Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling, Inc will help you find the perfect thermostat for your home and budget. You’ll experience ultimate home comfort with potential energy savings. Call us at (815)914-6197 to find out more, or arrange an appointment with us online.