While I spent a great deal of time researching before I purchased my furnace and air conditioner, I accepted whatever thermostat the HVAC contractor chose to install.
It was a very plain plastic model with a button to push to raise or lower temperature.
It didn’t include any especially helpful features but it worked to manage the operation of the furnace and air conditioner. It didn’t occur to me to upgrade the thermostat for several years. I was actually looking into the latest household gadgets for potential Christmas gifts for my mother when I came across smart thermostats. I started reading up on them and was amazed by all the modern features. I decided to hire an HVAC contractor to make sure I purchased a thermostat that would work with my heating and cooling system. I also wanted to be certain the device was installed and set up properly. I was a little worried that I wouldn’t be able to figure out how to use it. I’ve found that the smart thermostat is extremely user friendly. There is a touchscreen interface that is simple to navigate. I also have an app on my phone that allows me to access the thermostat from virtually anywhere. I rarely need to make changes to the temperature setting. For the first week after the thermostat was installed, it kept track of every adjustment we made and learned my family’s schedule. It then built a program and now adjusts automatically to conserve energy when the house is empty or my family is asleep. It also sends me reminders when it’s time to change air filters or schedule professional maintenance. I get alerts if there is a power outage or drastic temperature change.