Comparing Smart & Programmable Thermostats

Written on: August 1, 2022

Get superior energy efficiency while staying comfortable!

thermostats wisconsinIf you believe that programmable thermostats and smart thermostats are the same things, brace yourself for a surprise!

Smart and programmable thermostats are similar in that they make keeping your home comfortable easier while helping you save a lot of money on your home’s heating and cooling costs. 
The differences between the two are in technology, features, and price. Whatever thermostat you pick, if you program it correctly, you can save up to 10% on your heating and cooling bills every year!

Here’s what to do. 

Heating season: 

Cooling season:

Programmable thermostats: a game-changer

Until programmable thermostats were introduced in the 1980s, the only option for thermostats was round or rectangular. And the only method to change the temperature was to walk over and manually adjust it.

Programmable thermostats made it simple to control your home’s heating and cooling. You could set it and forget it, much like a slow cooker.

With a programmable thermostat, you can program your thermostat to a higher temperature in the summer and a lower temperature in the winter while you’re away during the day, then have it back to your desired temperature when you get home.

Programmable thermostats are greatly appreciated by homeowners who no longer have to worry about forgetting to turn the temperature down before leaving or waiting for their home to cool after returning. Some versions enable you to establish multiple programs, so you can set one for when you’re away on vacation.

Smart thermostats: A new era of HVAC control

Smart thermostats do everything a programmable thermostat does, and so much more!

Because a smart thermostat is linked to your house’s WiFi, you may control it from any place that has a wireless connection. Are you heading on vacation? You can set your home’s heating or air conditioning before leaving the hotel using the app for your smart thermostat and your home will be comfortable when you arrive.

Some smart thermostats keep track of your energy consumption. This data can help you better regulate your thermostat to save even more money on your power bills.

Smart thermostats can also learn your family’s routines and heating and cooling preferences and alter the temperature settings based on them.

There are also smart thermostats that notify you when your HVAC equipment needs maintenance or repair service, or if the air filter needs to be changed.

Smart thermostats can be found at your local hardware or home improvement store, or online. They’re reasonably priced but can be more expensive than programmable thermostats. However, like programmable thermostats, they’ll pay you back from the moment they’re installed thanks to them cutting your heating and cooling costs!

You can’t beat Boehlke Bottled Gas for reliable propane delivery. Become a customer today!

Become a Customer