The Best Thermostat

Buying Guide

Updating your home’s thermostat could have multiple benefits, from keeping you more comfortable at all times to noticeably slashing your energy bill. With many makes and models available, choosing the best one for your needs might seem daunting.

While smart thermostats have loads of features and options, Vicki Liston, producer, writer and narrator of “On The Fly…DIY,” says this might not be the best choice for some consumers.

“Not everyone is rushing to the ‘smart’ bandwagon,” Liston says. “Whether concerned with hacking or budgetary constraints, there is a large part of the population with no interest in connecting their private life and sensitive home functions to the latest smart technologies. The good news is that you can still create an energy-efficient environment while using a more traditional unit.”

Liston says that programmable thermostats provide some of the advantages of smart thermostats without the need for a network connection.

“Using a programmable thermostat is still the best way to regulate your home’s temperature and energy use while being cost-effective enough to work into almost every budget,” explains Liston. “Simply program the unit based on your schedule. This will be easier if you happen to keep the same hours each week, providing a ‘set it and forget it’ type of control.

“For example, if I work Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., I would program Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to save on heating and cooling costs when I leave and then return the temperature to a more comfortable level during my commute home. I’d program Saturday and Sunday differently as I’d probably be around more often.

“However, what if I’m sick and stay home during a weekday? Or I decide to go out of town over the weekend? Programming is important but so is reprogramming so ensure the thermostat can be easily adjusted to keep up with your life. Look for a ‘hold’ option that will allow you to trump current programming and hold the temperature at a certain level. This will allow the programming to take over again once the ‘hold’ is no longer selected, avoiding the need to reprogram all over again.”

• According to the U.S. Department of Energy, turning your thermostat down from its usual setting by 7-10 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 hours a day can reduce your heating and cooling bill by up to 10% a year. Consider dialing it down or changing the setting before you leave home for the day to take a bite out of your energy bill.
• Turning your thermostat to a colder than average temp will not cool your home more quickly. It will cause your system to work harder and use more energy, which could increase your utility bills.
• Choose where you install your thermostat carefully, as the location can affect its efficiency and performance. Take time to read the manufacturer’s installation instructions and recommendations.
• “Install your thermostat in a place where there is no direct sunlight from nearby windows or doors and where it is not in the path of a vent,” Liston suggests. “Sunlight and drafty locations can cause false temperature readings, and the thermostat will not be able to operate as efficiently as it should. Some models offer a feature to set reminders for HVAC related tasks, such as changing out furnace filters, cleaning air conditioner coils, and scheduling a tune-up or check-up, which will keep your system running at peak efficiency. “
• Before replacing what you believe to be a faulty thermostat, consider having your HVAC system inspected. If you are having trouble adjusting the temperature just right, the problem might be with the ductwork or the actual HVAC system. Having your system checked out by a professional can help you pinpoint the problem to determine an accurate and cost-effective repair.
• If you have an older thermostat, it could contain mercury. Check the packaging, if possible. Thermostats with mercury will have the “Hg” sign for mercury on the packaging. If you no longer have the packaging, you can take off the cover and check for a glass ampoule containing silver-colored liquid. Replacing a thermostat containing mercury is wise, as the chemical can be harmful. Programmable electronic thermostats are mercury-free.
• You might benefit from having more than one thermostat in your home, especially if you have multiple heating and cooling zones, such as living spaces downstairs and bedrooms upstairs.
• “Lockable buttons are a highly appreciated feature of parents,” shares Liston. “My young, button-loving son once set our thermostat to 88 during the summer before I realized it. Thanks to this feature, I was able to lock the buttons and keep him from turning our home into a sauna again.”