With the cost of utility bills on the rise, replacing your home thermostat with an energy-efficient model may be one answer to lower bills.
Most central air and heating systems have thermostats that have four basic features: an automatic/fan toggle switch, an on/off toggle switch, a heat/cool toggle switch, and a temperature gauge. There are many varieties and brands from which to choose which can be purchased from a multitude of locations. Larger local hardware stores, a home improvement center, the Internet, and air/heating dealers or installers, are among the many places that sell home thermostats.
First, determine which type of thermostat is best suited for the building in which it will be installed. If price is a consideration, there are basic units available for less than $35.00 at Home Depot and Lowe's. These units contain the basic four features only, but are available in digital format, which will save money on utility costs because they are programmable. Almost every thermostat comes with installation instructions and can be installed safely by the homeowner with a screwdriver. However, when changing from an old mercury unit to a new unit, it might be prudent to contact qualified electrical service personnel to ensure there is no damage to the wiring.
Standard Round units
The most basic of all thermostats is the old standard, the round analog thermostat. This unit works using mercury, which has been ruled as dangerous and is no longer included in thermostat production. Some of the older hardware stores might possibly still sell these units, but it is better to try to find a newer model. If planning to sell a home in the future, this type of unit will usually need to be replaced before the house will pass inspection.
Honeywell still makes a round thermostat, some mechanical and some digital, and use sensors instead of mercury. Most of these units are non-programmable, but will still function better than the older unit that is being replaced simply because they are newer. Pricing for mechanical units starts around $35.00 and the digitals start around $50.00. Remember, if you are replacing an old mercury unit, you need to call your city recycling center, because the sealed tube could explode or leak into the trash and could cause a hazard to the trash man or someone at the landfill. Do not throw the old mercury-filled unit into the trash under any circumstances!
Digital, 4-feature units
A digital thermostat can be set up to turn on any of the toggle switches according to the time(s) programmed by the owner. They are convenient because they can be set up to turn down the heat during the day while homeowners are away at work, and timed to turn the heat back up later in the day, when the family is returning. The same principle works on the air conditioning, so it is possible to save energy and money on the utility bill by keeping the house warmer during the away hours and cooling it down when the owners return. This system works well for people with set routines, and a lack of spare time. Most of these units can be programmed to control all seven days of the week, and some up to a year, within reason. There is virtually no reason to touch the thermostat once it has been initially programmed. Constantly changing the controls will keep utility bills high and cause earlier wear on the unit itself. Honeywell, Trane, Hunter, and Aprilaire, are the front-runners in this industry, but there are lesser-known brands available that run just as efficiently.
Wireless units
New technology now allows the homeowner to install the base, receiving unit in one location and to carry (or constantly relocate) the sending unit into other locations. This allows the user to adjust the heat or air temperature based on the room involved, not just where the base is located as is the case with most standard, wall mounted units. The remote unit runs on Lithium batteries that can be purchased almost anywhere, and there is a code to keep others from changing the settings without permission. These units have digital display panels. Totaline makes a very good wireless unit that works well for central air/heat systems and heat pump/air exchange systems--whether they are gas or electric. Honeywell makes a neat thermostat that works with the telephone, the thermostat, and an interface module, but this is pricey-around $650.00 for the three-piece kit!
Guards and Lock Boxes
If the thermostat is to be installed in a high-traffic zone or children's area, it may be appropriate to install a lock box over the thermostat to deter settings tampering. The units are produced both generically and for specific models, and prices range from $15.00 to about $50.00, depending upon the model installed, its size, and the manufacturer. Some guards come with a key, others screw into place.
Whichever brand or model the homeowner chooses, it is most important to turn off the electricity before beginning any installation. With all the choices out in Thermostat Land, take the time to do research and find the unit best suited for the home into which it will be installed. Home installs can be rewarding and cost-effective, especially with the rising cost of utility bills to consider.
