You probably love your home and take great pride in keeping it maintained in the best possible condition. However, there is one part of the home that many homeowners have a tendency to neglect. When was the last time you thought about your thermostat? Has it been a while? Or perhaps you have never really given it much thought. If that’s the case, you are not alone. However, upgrading your thermostat could prove to be very beneficial.

Upgrading Your Thermostat

1. How do you know if you need to upgrade your thermostat? As a thermostat ages it will become less efficient, and the first thing you will notice when your HVAC system goes off, you will suddenly feel too hot or too cold.

2. Before you go shopping for a new thermostat, there are a few things you need to know before you proceed. Each type of HVAC system will require a unit specific thermostat. Therefore, you will need to know the following in order to purchase the right model for your system:

• Do you have separate heating and cooling units?
• Do you have a HVAC system with multiple speed settings?
• Does your HVAC system allow for individual heating and cooling areas?
• Does your home have a fireplace, wall furnace or floor furnace?
• Does your HVAC system use 110v, 240v or direct current power?

3. Upgrading your thermostat to a new digital, programmable one will save you approximately $200 per year on your utility bill, because a new digital thermostat will work far more efficiently than an older model will.

Take some time to do a little research into which thermostat will best meet your needs. You will want to look for a unit that is digital, programmable and has an excellent Energy Star rating. In addition, you may want to look for a unit that is programmable from your pc, if that is something that is important to you. Another thing you may want to consider is the look and the design of your new thermostat. Is it visually appealing and does it fit with the overall look and feel of your home?

Upgrading your thermostat doesn’t have to be difficult; however, you do need to know a little bit about your HVAC system before you begin. Installing a good, high quality programmable digital thermostat will be worth the savings, convenience and comfort you will experience once your new unit has been installed. So take all the time you need to make an educated decision about your purchase and you will reap the rewards for years to come.