How Learning Thermostats are Different from Programmable Thermostats

December 04, 2018

Your thermostat is key to how much your energy bills are every month. Just programming your thermostat for times when you’re sleeping or away can make a big impact without harming your comfort levels. Depending on the type of programmable thermostat you purchase, you might benefit from a lot of additional features.

At McFadden Heating & Cooling, we’ve got an array of programmable thermostats to meet your needs—from the most basic models to the newest learning thermostats. How can you know what you need in your home? 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 need to select which features are most important to you.

All programmable thermostats will give you the chance to schedule your days to control temperatures when you’re usually there and gone. Depending on the model you choose, you might be able to input one schedule, which you may end up overriding on weekends or other days you’re home. Some models will let you program your weekdays on one schedule and your weekends on a different one. You’ll also want to look at the number of periods during each day you can set up. 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? Check that the thermostat you select can accommodate your needs.

For some individuals, being able to set a regular schedule (or two) and override it when needed is plenty. 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 every weekday.

Not only are smart thermostats more flexible, but they’re also Wi-Fi enabled so you can manage your home’s temperature no matter where you are. Some models 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 adjust your heating and cooling schedules based on your household’s activity throughout the day. Some models don’t even need to be programmed—you just turn them on and they will figure everything out on their own after a short amount of time.

So, no matter what your heating and cooling needs are, McFadden Heating & Cooling will help you find the perfect thermostat for your home and budget. You’ll get to enjoy ultimate home comfort with potential energy savings. Give us a call at 1-866-781-0111 to learn more, or book an appointment with us online.