How Learning Thermostats are Different from Programmable Thermostats

December 04, 2018

Your thermostat is key to how much you’re paying on your utility bills. Simply programming your thermostat for periods when you’re sleeping or away can make a large impact without having a negative affect on your comfort levels. Depending on the type of programmable thermostat you purchase, you can do a whole lot more to make an even bigger impact.

At GV Heating & Air, we’ve got a selection of programmable thermostats to meet your needs—from the most uncomplicated models to the state-of-the-art 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.

Most programmable thermostats will let you schedule your days to control temperatures when you’re usually there and not at home. Depending on the model you pick, you may be able to record one schedule, which you may end up overriding on the days you are 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 you can set up during the day. For instance, will you want the temperature setting 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 pick can adapt to your needs.

For some people, being able to arrange a regular schedule (or two) and override it when needed is all they need. But if you want added flexibility, it’s probably time to look into a smart thermostat. A smart thermostat will let you completely customize a heating and cooling schedule for every day of the week.

Flexibility isn’t the only benefit that smart thermostats provide, but they’re also Wi-Fi enabled so you can manage your home’s temperature regardless of where you are. Some selections 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 adapt 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 wants are, GV Heating & Air will help you find the best thermostat for your home and budget. You’ll end up with ultimate home comfort with potential energy savings. Contact us at 763-535-2000 to learn more, or arrange an appointment with us online.