How to Tell It’s Time to Upgrade Your Home’s Thermostat

Your thermostat works as the brain of your HVAC system. In some cases, the thermostat can help the HVAC system work more effectively and efficiently. However, the thermostat can also become the source of some HVAC issues. To avoid these issues, consider upgrading your thermostat. Here are some questions you should ask yourself to determine if your thermostat could use an upgrade.

Are You Using an Old Thermostat?

An older thermostat doesn’t do you any favors. The older the thermostat, the more likely it doesn’t perform as well as it should. An old thermostat can also mean old and faulty wiring as well as an increased chance of failing.

Truly old, non-digital thermostats are mechanical, which means all the parts of the thermostat need to remain in working order. When these thermostats start to fail, they can create a real headache in the form of incorrect temperatures and abuse of the HVAC equipment they're supposed to control.

Even older digital thermostats can cause problems if they haven't aged gracefully. These types of thermostats often lack features beyond the most basic.

In all these cases, you should consider upgrading your thermostat instead of second-guessing or repairing the old one you have.

Are You Able to Program Your Thermostat?

One of the bare minimum features of a modern thermostat is programmability. Programming a thermostat allows you to set times when your heating or cooling should turn on or off. This handy feature can help you save money on energy costs and preserve your HVAC system's components.

However, there are different levels of programmability. An older digital thermometer may only allow you to schedule one or two changes. An up-to-date thermometer can allow you to set several profiles for any situation. If you have an older thermostat and want more control over the programming, then you should upgrade.

Have You Upgraded Your HVAC System?

Often, a major upgrade to an HVAC system should also come with a change in thermostats because your older thermostat may not have the capabilities necessary to handle the new equipment properly. Many modern heating and air conditioning solutions have features built-in that require a smarter thermostat to make use of. This can be true even if you already have a somewhat modern thermostat.

Do You Need Modern HVAC Control Features?

Modern thermostats have features that allow them to do all sorts of neat things. You can control just about anything through apps on your phone and tablet, so why not have those features available for your heating and cooling systems as well? Modern smart thermostats can include:
• Touchscreens
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Adaptability
• High levels of programmability
• Mobile control options

These features come in addition to what typical smart thermostats offer. The ability to control the thermostat from a smartphone, or when away from home, can open various new options when it comes to energy savings and comfort. The more advanced smart thermostats can even swap profiles or make changes based on who is home, where they are in the home, and other variables.

Is Your Thermostat Damaged?

Beyond these considerations, if you have a faulty, damaged, or decaying thermostat, upgrade it immediately. Don't wait for your thermostat to start creating increasingly more problematic issues with your heating and cooling equipment. A thermostat should make things easier for your HVAC system, not cause problems with it.

At Always Ready Repair Heating and Cooling, we have a selection of modern smart thermostats for you to consider. Whether you need HVAC repairs or a new thermostat, contact us today. We’ll help you find the perfect thermostat or HVAC system for your needs and budget.