Manual thermostats

The most basic type of thermostat is operated manually. You set the temperature, and the heating and cooling system responds accordingly. Easy peasy.

Manual thermostats are inexpensive and easy to fix or replace if they break down, but they can cost you more energy. You can’t program them to adjust the temperature automatically when you generally need less heating, like when you’re at work during the day or sleeping at night. Unless you do this manually daily, multiple times a day, it could cost you hundreds of dollars on your energy bill each year.

If you still have a manual thermostat, we suggest an upgrade. A programmable or smart thermostat can help optimize your home’s energy efficiency and lower those monthly bills.

Programmable thermostats

Programmable thermostats are the next step up. Unlike a manual thermostat, a programmable thermostat is, well, programmable. That means you can set the thermostat to adjust the temperature according to your high and low usage times. For example, it can turn the heat down at night while you’re asleep and during the day when you’re out of the house.

Programmable thermostats are affordable, with models starting around $40. The ability to program your temperature can improve home comfort and save money.

Smart thermostats

In today's digital age, smart thermostats are increasing in popularity. They’re like programmable thermostats but take things to the next level. For example, a smart thermostat can observe your daily routine, learn from your behaviour and adjust your temperature for optimal energy conservation.

How does it work? The device notes what temperature you prefer inside your home at different times of day. It monitors when you leave the house and when you return. Then, it uses this data to adjust for maximum energy conservation. A smart thermostat can help lower your bill while keeping your home comfortable at your preferred temperature.  

Smart thermostats are more expensive, around $150 to $250. For many, the upfront cost is worth it for the long-term energy savings.

Smart home comfort and energy efficiency

Depending on your HVAC system, you can use a modern thermostat to control environmental factors like humidity and ventilation. And most smart models will link to your home Wi-Fi network. This allows you to control them remotely from your smart device. For example, you can alert your smart thermostat that you’re coming home from work 20 minutes early, so it starts warming up the house for you.

If you want to reduce your energy bills, consider keeping your home’s temperature at 20°C in the winter and about 25°C in the summertime. If this is a major adjustment for you, you'll see a significant difference in your energy costs. Plus, if you’ve programmed your thermostat to optimize energy consumption, you’ll see even more savings.