Choose the Right Thermostat for Your Home

By Anne Fonda

Staying comfortable in your home is easy when you have the right thermostat. With this article, we hope to help you answer the question “How do I know which thermostat I need?”

Your home’s thermostat works to control the temperature. It senses the indoor temperature and signals your air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace to kick in to heat or cool your home to the desired temperature. For such a small component, it plays an outsized role in making your home comfortable.

Whether you’re getting a new thermostat as part of an HVAC system replacement or you just want an upgrade, you have a lot of options. There are several important factors to consider when choosing a thermostat for your home. The technology has evolved over the years and you have new types of thermostats to choose from. Some top considerations include:

No. A replacement thermostat must be compatible with your HVAC system and the wiring where the existing thermostat is. Single-stage, two-stage, and variable-speed systems may not be compatible with all thermostats. An HVAC professional can tell you what thermostats are compatible with your system and wiring.

Programmable thermostats are a big step up from older manual thermostats. A programmable thermostat allows you to set a heating and cooling schedule for your home. Common schedules are one schedule for weekdays and a separate schedule for weekends, with different settings for different times of day.

For example, you can set a wake-up temperature, a daytime temperature, an evening temperature, and a sleep temperature. By utilizing the scheduling capabilities, you can significantly increase your comfort level and decrease your energy usage, which can lead to lower utility bills. According to Energy.gov, you can save up to 10% on your heating and cooling bills by reducing or raising the temperature while you are away from home.

Depending on the model, programmable thermostat features can include:

Programmable thermostats are compatible with most forced-air HVAC systems.

Smart thermostats connect to your home’s WiFi network, which is why they’re also known as WiFi thermostats. They are the premium level of programmable thermostats, taking things much further than simply programming your temperature preferences.

Using cloud technology and an app, you can control and adjust your home temperature and humidity remotely - from your smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer. You get enhanced comfort, convenience, and energy savings. You can monitor your energy usage and make adjustments at any time of the day or night, from anywhere in the world with internet access.

Depending on the smart thermostat model, features can include:

Are you wondering “Do I need a smart thermostat”? Maybe. Smart thermostats are popular choices these days as more and more homeowners are looking for sustainable solutions to help them save energy and reduce their carbon footprint. Choosing the best smart thermostat has its own set of considerations.

Some newer variable-speed HVAC systems and zoning systems require a smart thermostat as part of the system controls. But you can also replace an older thermostat with a smart thermostat. Just ensure that it is compatible with your system before making a purchase. An HVAC professional can help you sort through your options to optimize your heating and cooling system.

In addition, if you have a smart thermostat and you opt-in for remote diagnostics via the app, your local American Standard dealer can access your smart thermostat data to see what is going on with your HVAC system at any given time. You only need to do this once. It allows your dealer to spot a problem even if you’re not home to notice.

The dealer can see:

Your dealer will also receive system notifications - from routine maintenance reminders to alerts of system malfunctions. If you opt-in to remote diagnostics, your dealer can troubleshoot the issue and can sometimes solve it remotely.

If your dealer feels they can solve an issue remotely, they can request remote access to your thermostat. Remote access is separate from American Standard Diagnostics, and you will have to grant or deny access each time. Access ends when the dealer has completed work.

At no time can the dealer see anything about other connected systems in your home. 

If you’re used to adjusting the temperature yourself and want to keep doing it that way, a basic, non-programmable thermostat might be for you. They are simple and easy to use. In addition, rather than squint at the numbers and move a toggle switch or dial, most non-programmable options today are digital thermostats with a large display and control buttons to raise or lower the temperature.

However, they lack the programming features that can help you save money and save energy. They also do not give you maintenance reminders such as when to change the air filter or humidity pad. 

With a programmable or smart thermostat, you can program temperature schedules to save energy. There is no reason to heat or cool your home the same when you’re gone as when you’re at work.

Set a lower temperature in the winter for when the house is empty, and set a higher temperature in the summer when no one is home. The closer the indoor temperature is to the outdoor temperature, the better it is for energy savings. 

In addition, some smart thermostats have learning capabilities and can independently adjust the temperature and humidity levels for superior comfort. Monitoring your energy consumption can lead to increased savings for you, and can be beneficial to the planet. It’s a win-win!

And if you still have a manual, non-programmable thermostat, you can set reminders for yourself to turn the temperature down/up before you leave the house. You won’t have quite the same savings, but every little bit helps.

While you can install some programmable and smart thermostats you might buy online or at a big box store, American Standard smart thermostats require professional installation. This ensures you can get the most out of your new thermostat and that it is installed correctly. 

Professional installation by your local HVAC contractor also means you get professional support and troubleshooting advice. And of course, if you get a smart thermostat, you can enable remote diagnostics as mentioned earlier.

The best thermostat for your home is one that is compatible with your HVAC system, and one where you will take full advantage of the features it has to offer. 

If you’re investing in an HVAC system replacement, get a smart thermostat to achieve optimal efficiency and control. If you have an older system but want to make it easier to save energy, a touchscreen programmable thermostat might be all you want. 

Need help deciding? Not sure what’s compatible with your system? Contact your local American Standard dealer for product recommendations and installation. For over 100 years, we’ve designed and manufactured some of the most awarded, well-engineered heating and cooling equipment and earned a reputation for doing things right.

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A Content Writer with Trane Technologies, Anne Fonda researches topics and writes for Trane® and associated residential HVAC brands. She works in collaboration with Trane Technologies subject matter experts, offering easy-to-understand, informative content on complex topics. Her goal is to help consumers make informed decisions on the products and services they need. 

She has written for HVAC and other service provider websites for over 16 years. Before transitioning to web content writing, Anne had a 14-year stint as an award-winning journalist. She graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-Columbia School of Journalism.  

When she’s not working, Anne enjoys playing word games, reading, gardening, spending time with family, and visiting gardens and museums.

Expert review by Michael Morey, Smart Thermostat Product Manager

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