You awaken from a dead sleep at 2 a.m. shivering, and you’re quite sure your nose is entirely frozen. In your groggy state, you fumble about in the darkness, feeling for the extra blanket that seems to always be dangling precariously off the foot of the bed. After cocooning yourself, right up to that frozen nose, you try to drift back off to sleep.
You could get up and go to the thermostat and turn on the heater, but that means subjecting yourself entirely to the chilly air, which will wake you up so completely that sleep becomes a lost cause.
You silently chide yourself for not paying attention to the technician from Ideal Heating and Cooling who just serviced your heater last week. He tried to tell you how convenient and helpful a wifi thermostat could be, but you were not convinced. And now, here you are, half frozen, with what seems like miles between your bed and the thermostat.
Are Wifi Thermostats and Smart Thermostats the Same Thing?
No, they are not the same. A few subtle differences are key in distinguishing a wifi thermostat from a smart one. Wifi thermostats can be controlled from an app or a website, but you are the one in control, telling it to warm or cool the temperature, whenever you desire to make adjustments. By contrast, a smart thermostat “learns” your habits and routines as it goes, relying on algorithms and sensor data to adjust itself to the temperature it thinks you want.
While the smart thermostat seems like a great convenience, it does not recognize changes in routine, such as a vacation or hosting holiday gatherings, and it may attempt to follow its programming over your actual needs. A wifi thermostat, by contrast, can easily be adjusted by you to accommodate each change in routine.
The Connected Consumer posits that most people have begun the transition into “Smart Home” living with security devices (camera doorbells, security systems, smart door locks and smoke detectors). Because the technology is relatively new and still developing, the smart devices that make life simpler and more comfortable are growing in popularity much more slowly, perhaps because the technology has not yet become valuable enough to most consumers to truly be a convenience. This is true with smart thermostats, as homeowners want to be the ones in charge of their indoor climate, not subjected to their devices.
How It Works
A wifi thermostat is not so different from the programmable thermostat you’ve likely been using for years, with one key difference. Like other internet-capable devices, the wifi thermostat has an IP address and it can connect to your Wi-Fi. With this capability, you are able to read the current temperature and settings and make adjustments wherever you are, using your phone, tablet, or computer. The simplicity of wifi thermostats not only provides great convenience but can help you save money on your energy bill by better utilizing your heating and air conditioning units.
Tips for Success with Your Wifi Thermostat
If you’re going to make the investment to simplify your life and save on your energy bills, make sure you do it right the first time. Our skilled technicians at Ideal are happy to come out, install your wifi thermostat, and set you up for a seamless transition. Here are some other tips you’ll want to note:
1. Don’t place your wifi thermostat near heat sources. If direct sunlight, vents, or other heat-emanating features are beaming on it around the clock, you’ll get inaccurate readings and a poorly functioning device.
2. If the thermostat seems to be turning off or on at the wrong time, check your settings. If they are accurate, but your device’s performance is off, you may need to have it recalibrated.
3. Sensor errors are possible. If you have a defective sensor, you’ll get incorrect temperature readings. Call on your service technician to evaluate the sensors and make any needed repairs.
Choosing the Right Thermostat for You
As is always true when making a purchase, selecting the one that best fits your priorities, and your budget is essential. Begin your shopping by determining a budget for your device and installation BEFORE you begin looking at products. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to resist that top-of-the-line gadget with all of the bells and whistles.
With a budget in mind, list the features that you care about most. Voice activation through Google Assistant? Humidity sensors? Air quality monitoring? Shop for the product that best suits your needs and preferences while keeping you within your budget.
If you’ve got questions about smart thermostats or would like to schedule an installation of this fascinating piece of technology in your home, give us a call. We’re your local HVAC service company, and we want to help you keep your home cozy and comfortable all year long.
