4 Types of Thermostats and How They Work

Did you know the first thermostat was invented by a man named Albert Butz in the late 1800s? Since then, thermostats have evolved considerably in size, shape, and functionality. These days, thermostats can do everything from responding to voice commands to adjusting your home’s temperature automatically!

While it’s common for modern properties to contain state-of-the-art thermostats, numerous homes around the country contain older thermostats that work perfectly. So, are you ready to discover the four main types of thermostats that sync up to HVAC systems?

Here’s a look at four types of thermostats and how they work.

1. Non-programmable Manual Thermostats

Have you ever stayed at an old motel on the I75? If so, you might’ve noticed an old thermostat on the wall with a dial to adjust the temperature!

These thermostats are known as non-programmable thermostats because they can’t be programmed to change temperatures on their own. In other words, if you want to change the temperature of an HVAC system using a non-programmable thermostat, you must change it manually each time!

Non-programmable thermostats typically feature a dial from the lowest to the highest possible temperature the HVAC system is capable of. If you want to switch off the HVAC system, simply turn the dial down, so the needle aligns with the ‘off’ setting.

In addition to a dial for temperature control, some non-programmable manual thermostats also feature a switch to adjust fan speeds. There are also non-programmable manual thermostats with a large switch instead of a dial to control the HVAC system temperature. The switch rests on a vertical track with temperature markings placed along with it.

2. Programmable Manual Thermostats

Thermostat interfaces evolved considerably by the 1980s. The dials and switches on old, non-programmable thermostats were replaced by buttons and digital displays on more modern, programmable thermostats. These thermostats had built-in clocks that users could program to change the HVAC system’s temperature setting on a timed schedule. As a result, programmable manual thermostats helped reduce energy usage and added a design element that appeared futuristic at the time.

In addition to timed temperature control, programmable manual thermostats could be programmed to switch on and off at a certain time. Moreover, they could remember numerous previous settings which users could select from whenever they switched on their HVAC system.

In other words, you could have summer and winter programs stored in the thermostat to switch to depending on the season. This added a modern element to programmable manual thermostats that has remained despite substantial changes in the design and functionality of thermostats over the years.

3. Touch Thermostats

If you ask the average joe where they were when Steve Jobs revealed the first iPhone, chances are they’ll remember! The release of the first iPhone affected many industries because of one key factor—touch screens. Once the first touch screens were launched on smartphones, various companies in the electronics industry clamored to incorporate this revolutionary technology into their devices. This gave birth to devices like touch thermostats.

In terms of functionality, touch thermostats are identical to programmable manual thermostats. They allow users to change their HVAC system’s temperature and fan setting. Moreover, they can be programmed to time on or off at certain hours of the day.

However, there’s a clear difference in the aesthetic appeal of touch thermostats. Modern touch thermostats manufactured by companies like Emerson feature high-resolution, refined displays, which give them a considerably more modern look than their old counterparts. This is compounded by the glass and metal housing in which touch thermostats are often encased.

Moreover, touch thermostats feature a variety of form factors that mark a departure from the box-shaped thermostats of the 1980s and 1990s. This includes circular and elliptical form factors that complement the aesthetic of modern homes.

4. Smart Thermostats

If you’re wondering what the latest and greatest type of thermostat is, the answer is a smart thermostat!

Smart thermostats—like smartphones—use artificial intelligence to power your HVAC system. They record data on how residents use the HVAC system in a building to create their own temperature and fan control programs. They also power on and off automatically at the times it thinks you’re going to start and stop using your HVAC system. In other words, they adapt to your lifestyle!

Some smart thermostats feature speech-control capabilities that allow you to adjust the temperature of your HVAC using your voice. There are also smart thermostats that you can link to your phone via an app. If you own a smart thermostat and your HVAC system requires maintenance, you’ll get a notification on your phone reminding you to call an AC technician.

The latest iterations of smart thermostats have built-in troubleshooting capabilities. In simpler words, they’re capable of sending error reports to HVAC contractors without the user having to call an HVAC company on their own. They also record the HVAC system’s error history so that users know whether it’s enough to call an AC maintenance and repair service or if a complete HVAC system overhaul is required.

No matter what type of thermostat you have at your home, it’ll be redundant if your HVAC system doesn’t work! If you’re searching for HVAC contractors in Miami, reach out to Carvajal A/C Mechanical Corp today. They offer AC installation services as well asrepair, and maintenance services to keep your HVAC system in good working order. They also provide a high-qualityHVAC maintenance service and comprehensive duct cleaning servicesto ensure your HVAC system doesn’t cause bad smells to waft through your home.

Book your air conditioner mechanic appointment with a top HVAC company in the Miami, FL area by contacting them today!

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